shiver

¹

[ shiv-er ]

verb (used without object)

1. to shake or tremble with cold, fear, excitement, etc.
2. Nautical.
   1. (of a fore-and-aft sail) to shake when too close to the wind.
   2. (of a sailing vessel) to be headed so close to the wind that the sails shake.

noun

1. a tremulous motion; a tremble or quiver:

   The thought sent a shiver down her spine.

2. (the) shivers, an attack of shivering or chills.

shiver

²

[ shiv-er ]

verb (used with or without object)

1. to break or split into fragments.

noun

1. a fragment; splinter.

shiver

¹

/ ˈʃɪvə /

verb

1. to break or cause to break into fragments

noun

1. a splintered piece

shiver

²

/ ˈʃɪvə /

verb

1. to shake or tremble, as from cold or fear
2. 1. (of a sail) to luff; flap or shake
   2. (of a sailing vessel) to sail close enough to the wind to make the sails luff

noun

1. the act of shivering; a tremulous motion
2. the shivers
   an attack of shivering, esp through fear or illness

Derived Forms

• ˈshivering, adjective
• ˈshiverer, noun

Other Words From

• shiver·er noun
• shiver·ing·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of shiver¹

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English noun chivere; later sh-, apparently for the sake of alliteration in phrase chiver and shake

Origin of shiver²

1150–1200; (noun) Middle English schivere fragment; cognate with German Schiefer schist; (v.) Middle English schiveren, derivative of the noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of shiver¹

C13: of Germanic origin; compare Old High German scivaro, Middle Dutch scheveren to shiver, Old Norse skīfa to split

Origin of shiver²

C13 chiveren, perhaps variant of chevelen to chatter (used of teeth), from Old English ceafl jowl ¹

Synonym Study

Shiver, quake, shudder refer to a vibratory muscular movement, a trembling, usually involuntary. We shiver with cold, or a sensation such as that of cold: to shiver in thin clothing on a frosty day; to shiver with pleasant anticipation. We quake especially with fear: to quake with fright. We shudder with horror or abhorrence; the agitation is more powerful and deep-seated than shivering or trembling: to shudder at pictures of a concentration camp.

Example Sentences

By the time we crammed the last moving box into the freight elevator, though, the sun had set, and we were sore and shivering.

From Salon

We would shiver until our bodies got a little warm and then fall asleep, and then wake up because we were cold, and then shiver again and fall back to sleep.

From Los Angeles Times

As the clock ticked down on a long cold Pasadena night, a small but sturdy cheer rose from the shivering Rose Bowl masses.

From Los Angeles Times

It was a nomination that stunned Washington and sent a shiver through the corridors of the justice department.

From BBC

But this June a victory for climate campaigners in the UK Supreme Court sent a shiver through all three firms and the wider industry.

From BBC

Related Words

• flutter
• quiver
• shudder
• vibrate