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Glite Dictionary
palpitant

palpitant

9.9
Something that shakes or beats quickly with small movements
  • adjective
  • /ˈpæl.pɪ.tənt/
translation icon : palpitante
  • The palpitant rhythm of the drum filled the room.

Examples

  • The air was heavy and palpitant with anticipation before the winner was announced.

  • The patient’s palpitant pulse worried the doctor during the examination.

  • Through the mist, they saw the palpitant flicker of a distant lantern.

  • She felt a palpitant excitement as the concert began.

  • The palpitant heartbeat of the concert made me feel alive.

  • As the suspense grew, I could feel a palpitant tension in the air.

  • The palpitant leaves danced in the breeze, creating a mesmerizing scene.

Synonyms

shaky
vspalpitant
59 2.1

Not steady and trembling, often from fear, cold, or tiredness

is a quick slight beating or small tremor rather than broad physical instability
trembling
vspalpitant
1 2.6

Shaking slightly because you feel afraid, cold, or weak

is a slight rapid throbbing motion rather than general uncontrolled shaking
palpitating
vspalpitant
7.2

Beating or trembling quickly because of strong feeling

is the same meaning but uses an adjective form
quavering
vspalpitant
7.2

A voice that trembles because of weakness, fear, or strong feeling

is a general slight rapid body motion not only a voice effect

Antonyms

still
∞ 1.0

Not moving or making a sound

to steady
41 3.4

To make yourself or something stop moving

How Trembling

convulsion
  • Specialized
20 7.3
palpitant
9.9
trembling
1 2.6

Surface Forms

palpitant positive

Morphology

palpitant = palpitate (semi-transparent) = palpitate + ant

Derived from the verb 'palpitate' with the Latinate adjectival suffix '-ant'; the relation is clear but the rare adjective form and Latinate morphology make it less immediately obvious to average learners.

Etymology

Palpitant comes from the Latin verb palpitare, which meant 'to tremble' or 'to beat', and it shares the same root as the English verb palpitate. So something palpitant is gently trembling or softly throbbing.