Palpitation

(-pe-ta's hun.) [From L. palpitatio.] (Med.) A name given to the pulsations of the heart, when they become stronger, more extensive, or more sensible to the individual than ordinarily. P. occur in a number of affections. They are, sometimes, owing to organic diseases of the heart-hypertrophy, inflammation, .; at others,to a disease in some other viscus; whilst, frequently, they are merely nervous. [s. 679]