palpitate

[pal-pi-teyt]

verb (used without object)

palpitated, palpitating 

1. to pulsate with unusual rapidity from exertion, emotion, disease, etc.; flutter.

   His heart palpitated wildly.

2. to pulsate; quiver; throb; tremble.

verb (used with object)

palpitated, palpitating 

1. to cause to pulsate or tremble.

palpitate

/ ˈpælpɪˌteɪt /

verb

1. (of the heart) to beat with abnormal rapidity

2. to flutter or tremble

Other Word Forms

• palpitation noun
• palpitant adjective
• palpitatingly adverb
• unpalpitating adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of palpitate¹

1615–25; < Latin palpitātus, past participle of palpitāre to pulsate, frequentative of palpāre to stroke. See palpus, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of palpitate¹

C17: from Latin palpitāre to throb, from palpāre to stroke

Synonym Study

See pulsate.

Example Sentences

It was a palpitating heart that revealed to Bryony just how much inequality woman can face in the healthcare system when seeking medical help.

From BBC

"I was palpitating. But the second time, I got used to it," she said.

From BBC

“I’m sweating and my heart’s palpitating and all those things because I’m conditioned to be in that environment and go perform,” Baldwin said.

From Seattle Times

In a career defined by blurring borders, this was less a plot twist than a quick spotlight on an underappreciated character: body music that keeps the heart palpitating.

From New York Times

The bronze chandeliers’ gas jets produced a softly palpitating glow, casting pools of light across the polished oak floor.

From Literature

When To Use

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.