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Added 9 October 2026

flutter

/ˈflʌtə/ noun

noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about flutter at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

The act of moving back and forth.
Abnormally rapid beating of the auricles of the heart (especially in a regular rhythm); can result in heart block.
A disorderly outburst or tumult.
they were amazed by the furious disturbance they had caused

verb

Move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart.
The hummingbird flitted among the branches
Move back and forth very rapidly.
the candle flickered
Flap the wings rapidly or fly with flapping movements.
The seagulls fluttered overhead

Origin

From Middle English floteren, from Old English floterian, flotorian (“to float about, flutter”), from Proto-Germanic *flutrōną, frequentative of Proto-Germanic *flutōną (“to float”), equivalent to float + -er (frequentative suffix). Cognate with West Frisian flodderje (“to flutter, beat”), Dutch flodderen (“to flutter, wave”), Low German fluttern, fluddern (“to flutter”), German flittern (“to sparkle, glitter”). More at float.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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