Flutter

v. i. [imp. & p. p. FLUTTERED; p. pr. & vb. n. FLUTTERING.] [L. Ger. fluttern, fluddern, H. Ger. flattern, O. Ger. fladdern, fladern, M. H. Ger. flodern, D. flodderen.]

1Sense 1. To move or flap the wings rapidly, without flying, or with short flights; to hover.

As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings. Deut. xxxii. 11.

2Sense 2. To move with quick vibrations or undulations; to move about briskly, irregularly, or with great bustle and show, without consequence.

No rag, no scrap of all the beau or wit, That once so fluttered, and that once so writ. Pope.

3Sense 3. To be in agitation; to move irregularly; to fluctuate; to be in uncertainty.

How long we fluttered on the wings of doubtful success. Howell.

His thoughts are very fluttering and wandering. Watts.

v. t. 1. To vibrate or move quickly; as, a bird flutters its wings. 2. To drive in disorder; to hurry; to agitate; to disorder; to throw into confusion. Shak.

n. 1. The act of fluttering; quick and irregular motion; vibration; undulation.

The chirp and flutter of some single bird. Milnes.

2Sense 2. Hurry; tumult; agitation of the mind; confusion; disorder. Pope.