judder

[juhd-er]

verb (used without object)

1. to vibrate violently.

   an old automobile with a clutch that judders.

noun

1. a state or instance of juddering.

judder

/ ˈdʒʌdə /

verb

1. (intr) to shake or vibrate

noun

1. abnormal vibration in a mechanical system, esp due to grabbing between friction surfaces, as in the clutch of a motor vehicle

2. a juddering motion

Word History and Origins

Origin of judder¹

First recorded in 1925–30; origin uncertain; perhaps j(olt) or j(erk) + (sh)udder

Word History and Origins

Origin of judder¹

probably blend of _jar ² + _shudder

Example Sentences

Released in April, the song is two minutes and seventeen seconds of aggressively chaotic beat drops, juddering synths and gang vocals.

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According to the report, the pilot tried to correct the deviation but was met with a "significant judder" from the nose gear.

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At the foot of the cliff, the boat juddered violently as the wind battered it.

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But as the Israeli military began its bombing campaign of Gaza, the building would judder dangerously with every nearby hit.

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Faces old and young watch the road, sitting atop piles of furniture, firewood, cookers and air conditioning units that judder precariously as the vehicles weave through traffic on their way to Afghanistan.

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Related Words

• fluctuation 
• oscillation 
• pulse 
• reverberation 
• tremor