quiver

¹ American  

[kwiv-er] / ˈkwɪv ər /

verb (used with or without object)

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

   Synonyms:

   shiver, shudder, quake, quake

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noun

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

   Synonyms:

   shake, shiver, shudder

quiver ² American  

[kwiv-er] / ˈkwɪv ər /

noun

1. a case for holding or carrying arrows.

2. the arrows in such a case.

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quiver ¹ British  

/ ˈkwɪvə /

verb

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

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noun

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

quiver ² British  

/ ˈkwɪvə /

noun

1. a case for arrows

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Related Words

See shake.

Other Word Forms

• quiverer noun
• quivering adjective
• quiveringly adverb
• quivery adjective
• unquivered adjective

Etymology

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

Example Sentences

I do, and the breath quivers a bit as it goes in.

From Literature

Hegseth’s brief tenure at the Pentagon has been dominated by his quivering inability to deal with any kind of challenge or discomfort.

From Salon

The smile that spreads across her face would have made Nyame’s cattle quiver in fear.

From Literature

Lord Ashton’s jaw clenched in anger, which made his almost-pointed ears quiver in a frankly canine way.

From Literature

“Think how marvelous it would be to live among so many fascinating ferns, growing in their native habitats,” she thought with quivering lip.

From Literature

Related Words

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