Fibrillate: meaning, definitions and examples

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fibrillate

 

[ ˈfɪbrɪleɪt ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

medical term

To fibrillate means to contract in an irregular and uncoordinated manner, typically referring to the heart's atria or ventricles. This chaotic movement disrupts normal blood flow, potentially leading to serious health issues such as stroke or cardiac arrest. Fibrillation can be caused by various factors, including heart disease, electrolyte imbalances, or fibrosis. Treatment often involves medical intervention, such as electrical cardioversion or medications, to restore a regular heart rhythm.

Synonyms

flutter, quiver, shake

Examples of usage

  • The patient's heart began to fibrillate.
  • Doctors monitor for signs that the heart may fibrillate.
  • Fibrillating muscles result in inefficient contraction.

Translations

Translations of the word "fibrillate" in other languages:

🇵🇹 fibrilar

🇮🇳 फाइब्रिलेट

🇩🇪 fibrillieren

🇮🇩 fibrilasi

🇺🇦 фібриляція

🇵🇱 fibrilować

🇯🇵 フィブリルする

🇫🇷 fibriller

🇪🇸 fibrilar

🇹🇷 fibrilasyon

🇰🇷 섬유화하다

🇸🇦 تمزق الألياف

🇨🇿 fibrilovat

🇸🇰 fibrilovať

🇨🇳 纤维化

🇸🇮 fibrilirati

🇮🇸 fibrilera

🇰🇿 фибрилляция

🇬🇪 ფიბრილაცია

🇦🇿 fibrilasiya

🇲🇽 fibrilar

Etymology

The term 'fibrillate' originates from the Latin word 'fibrilla', meaning 'small fiber'. The word itself was adapted in the medical context during the late 19th century as medical practitioners began to understand the electrical and muscular functions of the heart. The scientific understanding of the heart's mechanics paved the way for the term's use in diagnosing various cardiac irregularities. Since then, 'fibrillation' has become a key concept in cardiology, particularly relating to arrhythmias and critical care, helping to distinguish between normal rhythmic contractions and potentially life-threatening conditions.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #42,074, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.