twit|ter

twit|ter¹ «TWIHT uhr», noun, verb.

–n.

1. a succession of light sounds made by birds.

2. a brief or muffled giggle; titter.

3. Figurative. an excited condition; flutter: »

My nerves are in a twitter when I have to sing in public. In a twitter of indignation... (Thackeray).

–v.i.

1. to utter a succession of light sounds: »

Birds begin to twitter just before sunrise. Swallows and martins skimmed twittering about the eaves (Washington Irving).

2. to sing, talk, or chatter rapidly in a small or tremulous voice.

3. to titter; giggle.

4. Figurative. to tremble, as with excitement, eagerness, or fear; be in a flutter.

–v.t.

to utter or express by twittering.

╂[probably ultimately imitative]

–twit´ter|er, noun.

twit|ter² «TWIHT uhr», transitive verb.

Dialect. to twit; tease.