flutter

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   flap the wings rapidly or fly with flapping movements

   The seagulls fluttered overhead

2. 2
   verb

   To flap or wave quickly but irregularly.

   flags fluttering in the wind

3. 3
   verb

   Of a winged animal: to flap the wings without flying; to fly with a light flapping of the wings.

   Banks of gorgeous flowers were on every hand, and birds with rare and brilliant plumage sang and fluttered in the trees and bushes.

4. 4
   verb

   To cause something to flap.

   A bird flutters its wings.

5. 5
   verb

   To drive into disorder; to throw into confusion.

   If you haue vvrit your Annales true, 'tis there, / That like an Eagle in a Doue-cote, I / Flatter'd^([sic – meaning Flutter'd]) your Volcians in Corioles.

6. 6
   verb

   To be in a state of agitation or uncertainty.

   It was fluttering with nervousness like a human heart. He was all in a sweat with fear, and—do you know, I don't believe the rascal is a Robot at all any longer.

7. 7
   verb

   To subject to a lie detector test.

   This was the first time that Nosenko had been subjected to a lie detector — or what the CIA called fluttering. The Soviet Union did not use such devices for interrogation.

8. 8
   noun

   The act of fluttering; quick and irregular motion.

   the flutter of a fan

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.