palpitation
UK[ˌpælpɪˈteɪʃn]US[ˌpælpɪˈteɪʃn]
n
A condition in which your heart beats too quickly or in an irregular way, often making you aware of it.
n
A trembling or quivering movement.
Morpheme Breakdown
palpit
ation
palpit
throb
ation
noun suffix
Etymology
The word 'palpitation' originates from the Latin verb palpitare, meaning 'to throb or flutter repeatedly'. This verb itself is a frequentative form of palpare ('to touch softly'), suggesting a meaning evolution from gentle touching to a rapid, repetitive motion akin to a fluttering touch. The core semantic thread connects the ancient sense of a quick, trembling movement to the modern medical and general usage describing the perceptible, often irregular, beating of the heart. The suffix '-ation' nominalizes this action, resulting in a term that precisely denotes the process or instance of such throbbing.
Analysis
Structure: palpit (throb) + ation (noun suffix)
- palpit: From Latin palpitare, meaning 'to throb, tremble, flutter'. It is the frequentative form of palpare ('to touch gently, stroke'). This functions as the core verbal root conveying the action of rapid, repeated movement.
- ation: A suffix of Latin origin (-ationem) used to form nouns denoting an action or process, or the result of an action.
Examples
She felt a sudden palpitation in her chest after climbing the stairs.
Anxiety can often cause heart palpitations.
The palpitation of the bird's wings was barely visible in the dim light.