in+a+flutter+of+excitement

См. также в других словарях:

• flutter — {{Roman}}I.{{/Roman}} noun 1 quick, light movement ADJECTIVE ▪ little VERB + FLUTTER ▪ give ▪ His heart gave a little flutter as the ladder slipped a couple of inches. PREPOSITION …   Collocations dictionary

• flutter — 1 verb 1 (I, T) if a bird or insect flutters its wings or if its wings flutter, its wings move quickly and lightly up and down: butterflies fluttering from flower to flower 2 (I) to wave or move gently in the air: Dead leaves fluttered slowly to… …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

• flutter — [flut′ər] vi. [ME floteren < OE flotorian, freq. of flotian < base of fleotan: see FLEET2] 1. to flap the wings rapidly, as in short flight or without flying at all 2. to wave or vibrate rapidly and irregularly [a flag fluttering in the… …   English World dictionary

• flutter — O.E. floterian to flutter, fly, flicker, float to and fro, be tossed by waves, frequentative of flotian to float (see FLOAT (Cf. float) (v.)). Related: Fluttered; fluttering. As a noun from 1640s; meaning state of excitement is 1740s …   Etymology dictionary

• flutter the dovecotes — (UK) Something that flutters the dovecots causes alarm or excitement …   The small dictionary of idiomes

• flutter — ► VERB 1) fly unsteadily by flapping the wings quickly and lightly. 2) move or fall with a light irregular motion. 3) (of a pulse or heartbeat) beat feebly or irregularly. ► NOUN 1) an act or instance of fluttering. 2) a state of tremulous… …   English terms dictionary

• flutter — /ˈflʌtə / (say flutuh) verb (i) 1. to flap or wave lightly in air, as a flag. 2. (of birds, etc.) to flap or attempt to flap the wings, or fly with flapping movements. 3. to move in quick, irregular motions. 4. to beat fast and irregularly, as… …  

• flutter — flutterer, n. flutteringly, adv. /flut euhr/, v.i. 1. to wave, flap, or toss about: Banners fluttered in the breeze. 2. to flap the wings rapidly; fly with flapping movements. 3. to move in quick, irregular motions; vibrate. 4. to beat rapidly,… …   Universalium

• flutter — v. & n. v. 1 a intr. flap the wings in flying or trying to fly (butterflies fluttered in the sunshine). b tr. flap (the wings). 2 intr. fall with a quivering motion (leaves fluttered to the ground). 3 intr. & tr. move or cause to move irregularly …   Useful english dictionary

• flutter — I UK [ˈflʌtə(r)] / US [ˈflʌtər] verb Word forms flutter : present tense I/you/we/they flutter he/she/it flutters present participle fluttering past tense fluttered past participle fluttered 1) a) [intransitive/transitive] to move up and down or… …   English dictionary

• flutter — flut|ter1 [ flʌtər ] verb 1. ) intransitive or transitive to move up and down or from side to side with short, quick, light movements, or to make something move in this way: Thousands of spectators fluttered Olympic and national flags. Alexandra… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English