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

As Pierce sees it, a 10% cap is “one of the few arrows left in the quiver for the White House really struggling to address the affordability crisis.”

From MarketWatch • Mar. 19, 2026

But believe him when he says he still has a bundle of protectionist arrows in his quiver.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 9, 2026

The Cidara acquisition adds another medicine to the Merck quiver.

From Barron's • Nov. 14, 2025

But, when it has mattered, Littler plucked precision from the quiver.

From BBC • Jan. 3, 2025

But he wasn’t, for the moment his father peeped at him, Demi’s eyes opened, his little chin began to quiver, and he put up his arms, saying with a penitent hiccough, “Me’s dood, now.”

From "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott

Related Words

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