flutterings
Light, quick movements
Flutterings are instances of rapid, light movement—the flutterings of wings, of curtains in a breeze, of eyelashes.
The word often describes internal sensations: flutterings in my chest, flutterings of anxiety.
These may be literal (irregular heartbeats) or figurative (nervous excitement).
The first flutterings of romance made her giddy.
Move lightly, rapidly
- dartHandheld pointed projectile
- hoverRemain suspended midair
- quiverTrembling or arrow case
- trembleShake from fear
vibrate · ripple · shimmer · dance · sway · oscillate · bob · skim
Awareness of abnormal heartbeat
- jittersNervous agitation
- butterfliesFluttering insects or nervousness
- tremorsSlight shaking movements
- trepidationFearful uncertainty
anxiety · apprehension · unease · agitation · restlessness · fidgeting · nerves · edginess
Repeated striking or pulsing
- whirringContinuous buzzing sound
- rustlingSoft crackling noise
- hummingbirdSmall nectar-feeding hoverer
- mothNight-flying lepidopteran
dragonfly · feathers · downy · plumage · pinions · wingspan · wingtip · hovering
Filmy, delicate material
- featherlightExtremely light, weightless-feeling
- airyLight and well-ventilated
- wispyThin and insubstantial
- etherealDelicate beyond earthly measure
diaphanous · silken · gentle · soft · tender · lacy · sheer · translucent
Passing very quickly
- momentaryLasting very briefly
- briefShort in duration
- transientTemporary, soon departing
- passingMoving by or temporary
evanescent · short-lived · flickering · impermanent · vanishing · fading · quick · flash
flit
Move lightly, rapidly
tremble · vibrate · ripple · shimmer · dance · sway · oscillate · bob · skim · whisk
palpitations
Awareness of abnormal heartbeat
- jittersNervous agitation
- butterfliesFluttering insects or nervousness
- tremorsSlight shaking movements
trepidation · anxiety · apprehension · unease · agitation · restlessness · fidgeting · nerves · edginess · queasiness
beating
Repeated striking or pulsing
- whirringContinuous buzzing sound
- rustlingSoft crackling noise
- hummingbirdSmall nectar-feeding hoverer
moth · dragonfly · feathers · downy · plumage · pinions · wingspan · wingtip · hovering · airborne
gossamer
Filmy, delicate material
- featherlightExtremely light, weightless-feeling
- airyLight and well-ventilated
- wispyThin and insubstantial
ethereal · diaphanous · silken · gentle · soft · tender · lacy · sheer · translucent · fragile
fleeting
Passing very quickly
passing · evanescent · short-lived · flickering · impermanent · vanishing · fading · quick · flash · instant
flutteringsstillness
Complete lack of motion
steadiness · motionlessness · immobility · stability · stasis
flutteringscalmness
Peaceful mental state
composure · tranquility · steadiness · serenity · equanimity