Definition

1. Verb (intransitive):

   • To beat rapidly and strongly, often in an irregular way: Used primarily to describe the action of the heart or a similar organ when it beats with unusual speed or force, typically due to excitement, fear, or illness.
   • To shake or tremble with rapid, slight movements: Can describe something that vibrates or quivers quickly.

2. Verb (transitive, less common):

   • To cause to throb or beat rapidly: To make something, like a heart, beat in this manner.

Usage and Examples

• Verb (intransitive):

  • His heart began to palpitate with anxiety before the speech.
  • The hummingbird's wings palpitated too fast for the human eye to see.
  • She felt her heart palpitate wildly when she heard the unexpected news.

• Verb (transitive):

  • The frightening scene palpitated her heart. (This usage is formal and less frequent.)

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• Medical/Physiological Context: Often used in a clinical sense to describe an abnormally rapid, fluttering, or pounding heartbeat (cardiac palpitations).
  • The patient complained of a palpitating sensation in his chest.
• Figurative/Literary Use: Can be applied poetically to objects that seem to vibrate or pulsate with energy.
  • The leaves palpitated in the fierce wind.

Variants and Related Words

• Palpitation (noun): The instance or condition of palpitating, especially of the heart.
  • She experienced heart palpitations after drinking too much coffee.
• Palpitant (adjective): Characterized by or experiencing palpitation; throbbing.
  • The palpitant rhythm of the drums filled the air.

Synonyms

• Throb: To beat with a strong, regular rhythm, often with pain or powerful emotion.
• Pulsate: To expand and contract rhythmically; to beat or throb.
• Flutter: To beat rapidly and lightly, like a bird's wings or an irregular heartbeat.
• Quiver: To shake with a slight, rapid, tremulous movement.

Antonyms

• Steady: To be firm, fixed, or regular in movement or beat.
• Calm: To become still or peaceful.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• To make one's heart palpitate: To cause someone to feel intense excitement, fear, or anticipation.
  • The suspenseful movie made my heart palpitate.
• (Heart) is palpitating: A direct description of the physical state.
  • My heart is palpitating; I need to sit down.

Verb

1. beat rapidly
   • His heart palpitated
2. shake with fast, tremulous movements
   • His nostrils palpitated
3. cause to throb or beat rapidly
   • Her violent feelings palpitated the young woman's heart