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1. The rhythmic contraction and expansion of the arteries with each beat of the heart
   - pulse, pulsation, beat
    
2. A very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
   "if I had the chance I'd do it in a heartbeat"
   - blink of an eye, flash, instant, jiffy, split second, trice, twinkling, wink, New York minute, jiff
    
3. An animating or vital unifying force
   "New York is the commercial heartbeat of America"

Derived forms: heartbeats

Type of: bit, force, minute, mo, moment, periodic event, recurrent event, second

Encyclopedia: Heartbeat