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palpitate

[ pal-pi-teyt ]
/ ˈpæl pɪˌteɪt /
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See synonyms for: palpitate / palpitating on Thesaurus.com
verb (used without object), pal·pi·tat·ed, pal·pi·tat·ing.
to pulsate with unusual rapidity from exertion, emotion, disease, etc.; flutter: His heart palpitated wildly.
to pulsate; quiver; throb; tremble.
verb (used with object), pal·pi·tat·ed, pal·pi·tat·ing.
to cause to pulsate or tremble.
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Origin of palpitate

1615–25; <Latin palpitātus, past participle of palpitāre to pulsate, frequentative of palpāre to stroke. See palpus, -ate1

synonym study for palpitate

1. See pulsate.

OTHER WORDS FROM palpitate

pal·pi·tat·ing·ly, adverbun·pal·pi·tat·ing, adjective

Words nearby palpitate

palpation, palpebral, palpebrate, palpi, palpitant, palpitate, palpitation, palpus, palsa, palsgrave, palsgravine
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

MORE ABOUT PALPITATE

What does palpitate mean?

Palpitate means to pulse, throb, or tremble.

The word palpitate is most commonly used in the context of the beating of the heart. When your heart palpitates, it beats more quickly or in a fluttering way.

A heart palpitation is an unusually or abnormally rapid or violent beating of the heart. Heart palpitations typically involve the heart beating hard and faster, and they may also involve an irregularity in rhythm.

Less commonly, palpitate can mean to make thob or tremble.

The noun palpitation can also refer to the act, process, or an instance of palpitating.

Example: My doctor said my heart may be palpitating due to a combination of stress and too much caffeine.

Where does palpitate come from?

The first records of palpitate come from the 1620s. It comes from the Latin verb palpitāre, meaning “to pulsate.”

Any time your heart beats faster or irregularly it can be said to be palpitating. This can happen due to strenuous exercise, anxiety, illness, or as a side effect of a medication. The caffeine in things like coffee and cola has been known to make people’s hearts palpitate. Other times, your heart might palpitate upon seeing your crush or realizing you’re about to get in trouble.

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What are some other forms related to palpitate?

  • palpitatingly (adverb)
  • unpalpitating (adjective)
  • palpitation (noun)

What are some synonyms for palpitate?

What are some words that share a root or word element with palpitate? 

 

 

What are some words that often get used in discussing palpitate?

 

How is palpitate used in real life?

Palpitate is usually used in the context of the heart beating faster or irregularly for some reason.

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Try using palpitate!

Which of the following words is a synonym of palpitate? 

A. throb
B. pulsate
C. flutter
D. all of the above

Words related to palpitate

flutter, pitter-patter, pound, pulsate, pulse, quiver, shiver, throb, tremble, vibrate

How to use palpitate in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for palpitate

palpitate
/ (ˈpælpɪˌteɪt) /
verb (intr)
(of the heart) to beat with abnormal rapidity
to flutter or tremble

Derived forms of palpitate

palpitant, adjectivepalpitation, noun

Word Origin for palpitate

C17: from Latin palpitāre to throb, from palpāre to stroke
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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