flutter

== English == === Etymology === 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. === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈflʌtə/ (General American) IPA(key): /ˈflʌtɚ/, [-ɾɚ] Rhymes: -ʌtə(ɹ) Hyphenation: flut‧ter === Verb === flutter (third-person singular simple present flutters, present participle fluttering, simple past and past participle fluttered) (intransitive) To flap or wave quickly but irregularly. (intransitive) Of a winged animal: to flap the wings without flying; to fly with a light flapping of the wings. (intransitive, aerodynamics) To undergo divergent oscillations (potentially to the point of causing structural failure) due to a positive feedback loop between elastic deformation and aerodynamic forces. (transitive) To cause something to flap. (transitive) To drive into disorder; to throw into confusion. (intransitive) To be in a state of agitation or uncertainty. (intransitive, obsolete) To be frivolous. (espionage, slang) To subject to a lie detector test. ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ==== === Noun === flutter (countable and uncountable, plural flutters) The act of fluttering, or multiple acts thereof. Synonyms: flap, fluttering (by extension) The collective flutter of many similar objects. (by extension) A flapping, crackling or rustling sound, as from a fluttering motion or any comparable sound. (figurative) A sound that spreads in the manner of a wave or ripple. The rapid up-and-down motion of the eyelids and consequently eyelashes, often seen as intentionally flirtatious or alluring and often attributed to the eyes or eyebrows. Synonym: batting The movement a hand fan with a back-and-forth action using flicks of the wrist, so as to produce a graceful wave-like effect. (swimming) The motion of various strokes in swimming, especially the flutter kick. Synonym: kick A quick and irregular motion or vibration, or multiple such motions. Synonym: flicker Any of several vocal effects, actions or techniques, notably tremolo, vibrato and trill, which are deliberately cultivated, as well as the neurological condition vocal tremor or general strain. The trembling movement of an iris caused by a lack of support from the lens or as a complication of cataract surgery. Synonyms: tremulous iris, iridodonesis The vibration, shaking or flapping of fabric, such as the luffing of a sail or the vibration of the tailing edge of a kite or parachute. (zoology) The vibration of a bird's throat by rapidly pumping air into it with the mouth open in order to enhance thermoregulation; gular flutter. (music) A method of articulation in playing wind instruments by curving the tongue at the sides and exhaling air over it to make it vibrate; flutter-tongue. (figurative) An exception to, or fluctuation in, a pattern; a minor and temporary deviation from an expectation; a blip in a trend; a transient shift in allegiance. (figurative) A state of agitation, high-energy anxiety or anticipation. Antonym: calm Synonym: fuss 1900, Henry James, The Soft Side The Third Person Chapter 3 Their visitor was an issue - at least to the imagination, and they arrived finally, under provocation, at intensities of flutter in which they felt themselves so compromised by his hoverings that they could only consider with relief the fact of nobody's knowing. A commotion, ruckus or disturbance; a brief state of energetic activity. Synonym: Thesaurus:commotion A spasmodic vibration of one or more body parts or the entire body; a shudder. Synonyms: quiver, rumble, spasm, tremor The condition or sensation of a rapid and abnormal heart rhythm. A feeling of internal shifting, which may be idiosyncratic or caused by the movement of a fetus, muscular spasms associated with digestion (or indigestion) or sensations related to menstruation. (figurative) A flash of emotion that accompanies an internal sensation, such as a rapid pulsation of the heart or a quiver of nervous disquiet; a small burst of emotion that may be felt or expressed; a fleeting feeling or idea experienced as a feeling. Synonyms: twinge, frisson, flicker (medicine) The rapid horizontal movement (saccades) of the eyes without pausing between them; ocular flutter. (medicine) An abnormal rapid pulsation of the heart, caused by the too-rapid beating of the upper chambers; the condition of experiencing such a flutter. Synonyms: atrial flutter, auricular flutter (medicine) The vibration of a heart valve. (medicine) A contraction caused by synchronous diaphragmatic flutter. A physical oscillation in a mechanical device. (uncountable, aerodynamics) An extremely dangerous divergent oscillation caused by a positive feedback loop between the elastic deformation of an object and the aerodynamic forces acting on it, potentially resulting in rapid structural failure. The sound created when the throttle body in an engine is closed, forcing air through the turbocharger in the wrong direction, which makes the air bounce against the compressor blades, stalling them; the condition of having this occur in an engine. Synonyms: compressor surge, turbo flutter The shaking (or a judder) of a vehicle caused by the engine surging, stalling or fluctuating in RPM. A fluctuation in sound, especially a malfunction in technology. Synonym: flicker A wavering quality in a voice, usually suggesting a specified feeling. The sound of a camera shutter opening to let in light when taking a picture, or the sound of a camera app that simulates the same thing. A sound caused by the passage of film through a projector, as in an old movie, caused by variable film speed across the sound head. (audio) The distortion in a cassette recording caused by defects in the tape. (audio, electronics) The rapid variation of signal parameters, such as amplitude, phase, and frequency, caused by variations in the speed of the playback from a record player. Coordinate term: wow (audio) The distortion in a magnetic recording when the speed of the magnetic tape experiences variations due to sticking and slipping during playback or recording. The sound created by a flutter echo. The pulsating sound created by the phase distortion caused by the simultaneous playing of two frequencies. The sound distortion created by vibrations in a speaker; speaker flutter. A flicker or fluctuation in light; a type of visual distortion. Synonym: flicker A fluctuation in the brightness of a television or other kind of monitor or screen. A jumping or flickering effect in a film coming from damage to the film itself or to the projector. A speculative endeavor, especially a small one. (UK) A small bet or risky investment, especially from a rookie gambler. 30 July, 2009, Eurosport, Gray Matter: How will Schu do? So with his victory odds currently at 14/1 or 3/1 for the podium, he's still most certainly well worth a flutter […] A hasty or casual game, e.g. of cards. One or more objects or phenomena that flutter, that move as if fluttering, that appear to be fluttering or that cause fluttering. A state of being amid or decorated in items that flutter. A flurry of snow, smoke, dust, etc., or a light rain shower, or another phenomenon experientially similar to a light burst of rain or snow. A breeze or wind that would cause an item to flutter. (clothing) The flow and feel of a garment or outfit, particularly a woman's dress or gown, which moves or appears likely to move in a graceful and airy manner when worn, especially in a light breeze. (dated) A feature of clothing (often lace) intended to flutter, such as flaps, straps, trim, etc. Hyponym: flutter sleeve (collective) A group of butterflies or moths. Synonym: swarm Hyponym: kaleidoscope (historical, engineering) A combination of steam and water visible at the top gauge cock of a steam-boiler. A small amount or a small sign of something. A fragment or flash of a color or of light. (figurative) A scrap or fragment of, e.g., rumors, history, sentiment, etc. ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ====