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

What is it about a title like “Neighbors” that sends a little quiver up one’s spine?

From The Wall Street Journal

“There’s no person in an athlete’s quiver more important than the tech,” said Stacey Cook, a retired American World Cup Alpine ski racer who competed for 15 years as a member of the U.S.

From Los Angeles Times

Just like when you hum and you can feel a quiver in your lips.

From Literature

"Cathy and Heathcliff's passions vibrate through their dress, their surroundings, and everything else within reach, and you leave the cinema quivering on their own private frequency."

From BBC

Jonathan turned his head enough to peer out; he saw the redwood branches quivering from the impact.

From Literature

Related Words

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