FLUTTER

[flut.ter] vb [ME floteren to float, flutter, fr. OE floterian, freq. of flotian to float; akin to OE fleotan to float--more at fleet] vi (bef. 12c) 1: to flap the wings rapidly

2. a: to move with quick wavering or flapping motions b: to vibrate in irregular spasms

3: to move about or behave in an agitated aimless manner ~ vt: to cause to flutter -- flut.ter.er n -- flut.tery adj

[2]flutter n (1641) 1: an act of fluttering

2. a: a state of nervous confusion or excitement b: flurry, commotion c: abnormal spasmodic fluttering of a body part "treatment of atrial ~" 3 a: a distortion in reproduced sound similar to but of a higher pitch than wow b: fluctuation in the brightness of a television image

4: an unwanted oscillation (as of an aileron or a bridge) set up by natural forces

5. chiefly Brit: a small speculative venture or gamble