I. ˈflə-tər verb
Etymology: Middle English floteren to float, flutter, from Old English floterian, frequentative of flotian to float; akin to Old English flēotan to float — more at fleet
Date: before 12th century
intransitive verb
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
transitive verb
: to cause to flutter
• flut·ter·er -tər-ər noun
• flut·tery -tər-ē adjective
II. noun
Date: 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 flutter
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 British : a small speculative venture or gamble