fibrillation

[ fahy-bruh-ley-shuh n, or especially for 2, fib-ruh- ]
/ ˌfaɪ brəˈleɪ ʃən, or especially for 2, ˌfɪb rə- /

noun

the formation of fibrils.
Pathology. uncontrolled twitching or quivering of muscular fibrils.

Origin of fibrillation

First recorded in 1830–40; fibrillate + -ion

Example sentences from the Web for fibrillation

British Dictionary definitions for fibrillation

fibrillation
/ (ˌfaɪbrɪˈleɪʃən, ˌfɪb-) /

noun

a local and uncontrollable twitching of muscle fibres, esp of the heart, not affecting the entire muscle. Atrial fibrillation results in rapid and irregular heart and pulse rate. In ventricular fibrillation, the heart stops beating
irregular twitchings of the muscular wall of the heart, often interfering with the normal rhythmic contractions

Medical definitions for fibrillation

fibrillation
[ fĭb′rə-lāshən, fī′brə- ]

n.

Fine, rapid twitching of individual muscle fibers with little or no movement of the muscle as a whole.
The formation of fibrils.
Vermicular twitching, usually slow, of individual muscular fibers, commonly occurring in the atria or ventricles of the heart and in recently denervated skeletal muscle fibers.

Scientific definitions for fibrillation

fibrillation
[ fĭb′rə-lāshən ]

A rapid twitching of muscle fibers, as of the heart, that is caused by the abnormal discharge of electrical nerve impulses. Ventricular fibrillation is life-threatening.