quiver

¹

[ kwiv-er ]

verb (used with or without object)

1. to shake with a slight but rapid motion; vibrate tremulously; tremble.

   Synonyms: shiver, shudder, quake

noun

1. the act or state of quivering; a tremble or tremor.

   Synonyms: shake, shiver, shudder

quiver

²

[ kwiv-er ]

noun

1. a case for holding or carrying arrows.
2. the arrows in such a case.

quiver

¹

/ ˈkwɪvə /

noun

1. a case for arrows

quiver

²

/ ˈkwɪvə /

verb

1. intr to shake with a rapid tremulous movement; tremble

noun

1. the state, process, or noise of shaking or trembling

Derived Forms

• ˈquivery, adjective
• ˈquivering, adjective
• ˈquiveringly, adverb
• ˈquiverer, noun

Other Words From

• quiv·er·er noun
• quiv·er·y adjective
• un·quiv·ered adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of quiver¹

First recorded in 1480–90; origin uncertain; compare Middle Dutch quiveren “to tremble”

Origin of quiver²

1250–1300; Middle English < Anglo-French quiveir, variant of Old French quivre; perhaps < Germanic; compare Old English cocer quiver

Word History and Origins

Origin of quiver¹

C13: from Old French cuivre; related to Old English cocer, Old Saxon kokari, Old High German kohhari, Medieval Latin cucurum

Origin of quiver²

C15: from obsolete cwiver quick, nimble; compare quaver

Synonym Study

See shake.

Example Sentences

And the third arrow, which packs the greatest punch, may never be pulled from the quiver.

From The Daily Beast

The first and last lines of Lolita make my dorsal hairs quiver, as Nabokov intended.

From The Daily Beast

The House speaker has no arrows in his quiver in the fiscal-cliff talks—his caucus will revolt if he caves.

From The Daily Beast

What arrow does Gingrich have in his quiver besides the great debate one-liner that expresses right-wing grievance?

From The Daily Beast

The girls practically quiver with happiness at the attention.

From The Daily Beast

A coquette is said to be an imperfect incarnation of Cupid, as she keeps her beau, and not her arrows, in a quiver.

From Project Gutenberg

And Elam took the quiver, the chariot of the horseman, and the shield was taken down from the wall.

From Project Gutenberg

Her fat red cheeks would quiver with emotion, and be wet with briny tears, over the sorrows of Mr. Trollope's heroines.

From Project Gutenberg

This time it was really Mr. Bills, and Mrs. Biggs went out to meet him, while Eloise felt every nerve quiver with dread.

From Project Gutenberg

Kari stood and a quiver ran through his muscles and I could see his body throb.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• convulse
• pulsate
• shiver
• shudder
• throb
• tremble