Dictionary.com

palpitate

[ pal-pi-teyt ]
/ ˈpæl pɪˌteɪt /
Save This Word!
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.

QUIZZES

THINK YOU’VE GOT A HANDLE ON THIS US STATE NICKNAME QUIZ?

Did you ever collect all those state quarters? Put them to good use on this quiz about curious state monikers and the facts around them.
Question 1 of 8
Mississippi’s nickname comes from the magnificent trees that grow there. What is it?
The Sunflower State
The Evergreen State
The Magnolia State
The Mockingbird State
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

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
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Words related to palpitate

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

Example sentences from the Web for palpitate

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
See Today's Synonym