WordWeb Online

1. The motion made by flapping up and down
   "the sudden fluttering of the startled pigeons"
   - flap, flapping, flutter

1. Move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart
   "The hummingbird fluttered among the branches"
   - flit, fleet, dart
    
2. Move back and forth very rapidly
   "the candle fluttered"
   - flicker, waver, flitter, quiver
    
3. Flap the wings rapidly or fly with flapping movements
   "The seagulls fluttered overhead"
    
4. Beat rapidly
   "His heart fluttered"
   - palpitate
    
5. Wink briefly
   "flutter one's eyelids"
   - bat

Derived forms: flutterings

Type of: beat, belt along, blink, bucket along, cannonball along, flap, hasten, hie [archaic], hotfoot, hurry, move back and forth, nictate, nictitate, pelt along, pound, race, rush, rush along, speed, step on it, thump, travel rapidly, undulation, wave, wink, zip

Encyclopedia: Flutter