(v. i.) To beat rapidly and more strongly than usual; to throb; to bound with emotion or exertion; to pulsate violently; to flutter; -- said specifically of the heart when its action is abnormal, as from excitement.

beat beat a ruffle beat a tattoo bicker dance drum fidget flap flick flicker flip flip out flit flitter flop flutter freak out on get high on glow go pitapat gutter have the fidgets have the shakes heave jerk pant patter pitter-patter pound pulsate pulse quake quaver quiver roll ruffle shake shiver slat sound a tattoo splatter splutter sputter squirm swell swell with emotion thrill thrill to throb thrum thump tick ticktock tingle tingle with excitement toss toss and turn tremble tumble turn on to twist and turn twitch twitter wave waver wiggle wriggle writhe