flutter

flut|ter1 [ `flʌtər ] verb

1. ) intransitive or transitive to move up and down or from side to side with short, quick, light movements, or to make something move in this way:

Thousands of spectators fluttered Olympic and national flags.

Alexandra's hands were fluttering around his head.

a ) intransitive to move through the air with short, quick, light movements:

Autumn leaves fluttered to the ground.

2. ) intransitive or transitive if a bird or insect flutters its wings or its wings flutter, the wings make short, quick, light movements up and down

a ) intransitive flutter around/from/against if a bird or insect flutters somewhere, it moves by making short, quick, light movements with its wings:

Attracted by the light, moths fluttered against the windows.

3. ) intransitive if your heart or PULSE flutters, its regular movements suddenly become quicker because you are excited or nervous

a ) if your stomach flutters, you have an excited or nervous feeling in it

flutter your eyelashes at someone

to try to seem like an attractive woman who needs a man's help

flutter

flut|ter 2 [ `flʌtər ] noun

1. ) count usually singular a series of short, quick, light movements up and down or from side to side:

There was a flutter of wings as the birds took flight.

2. ) singular an excited or nervous feeling:

a flutter of surprise

Rachel jumped up in a flutter and ran to the door.

3. ) count usually singular a series of quick movements of the heart, caused by excitement or nervousness:

Her heart gave a flutter when the phone rang.

a ) MEDICAL a medical condition in which your heart BEATS faster than normal

4. ) count MAINLY BRITISH INFORMAL a small BET