palpitate
verb (used without object)
to pulsate with unusual rapidity from exertion, emotion, disease, etc.; flutter.
had palpitated
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past perfectof palpitate.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Suddenly an aria flitted through her mind, one of those songs which had palpitated through her childhood, without conveying any meaning to her, but which, for that very reason, had been the more purely consecrated.
From The Song of Songs by Hermann Sudermann
With a heart that had palpitated violently at every sound, he had lain listening acutely to every noise that broke the silence.
From My Kalulu, Prince, King and Slave A Story of Central Africa by Henry M. (Henry Morton) Stanley
The brain which gave birth to his historic writings had willed the stilling of the heart which for three-quarters of a century had palpitated quick and high with roseate hopes.
From The Best of the World's Classics, Restricted to prose. Volume I (of X) - Greece by Francis W. (Francis Whiting) Halsey
But, although her heart had palpitated on hearing the postman's knock, and had palpitated in vain, she had told herself that it was all as it should be.
From He Knew He Was Right by Anthony Trollope
