verb (used with object),de·fi·bril·lat·ed,de·fi·bril·lat·ing.Medicine/Medical.
to arrest the fibrillation of (heart muscle) by applying electric shock across the chest, thus depolarizing the heart cells and allowing normal rhythm to return.
1940, in reference to heartbeat, from de- + fibrillation "a beating in an abnormal way," from Modern Latin fibrilla, diminutive of fibra "fiber," in reference to the muscle strands of the heart that contract irregularly in this condition.
Termination of fibrillation of the heart muscle and restoration of normal heart rhythm, especially by one or more electric shocks administered by paddles applied to the chest.
