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

The vice president has learned a lot from her boss but brings her own well-stocked quiver of global ideas.

From Los Angeles Times

The vice president has learned a lot from her boss but brings her own well-stocked quiver of global ideas.

From Los Angeles Times

Since I live about the same distance from the Hollywood Burbank Airport as I do from LAX, flying out of the former instead of the latter whenever feasible — because it’s always far less congested and much more manageable — has long been an arrow in my life-hack quiver.

From Los Angeles Times

The chief weapons in the antiabortion camp’s quiver have been efforts to stymie referendum and initiative votes by changing the ballot box rules, as has been tried in Florida and Ohio.

From Los Angeles Times

Of 116 Times questionnaire respondents, about a quarter described themselves as avowed never-feelers: people who, despite living in the L.A. area for between two and 42 years, had never felt even the slightest quiver no matter the magnitude.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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