shiver

¹ American  

[shiv-er] / ˈʃɪv ər /

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.

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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 American  

[shiv-er] / ˈʃɪv ər /

verb (used with or without object)

1. to break or split into fragments.

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noun

1. a fragment; splinter.

shiver ¹ British  

/ 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

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noun

1. the act of shivering; a tremulous motion

2. an attack of shivering, esp through fear or illness

shiver ² British  

/ ˈʃɪvə /

verb

1. to break or cause to break into fragments

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noun

1. a splintered piece

Related Words

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.

Other Word Forms

• shiverer noun
• shivering adjective
• shiveringly adverb

Etymology

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

Example Sentences

He shivered, even though it wasn’t the least bit cold for October.

From Literature

Then, shivering, they entered the water and began swimming.

From Literature

To help a shivering Cathy, Heathcliff rises from his wooden seat, smashes it on the floor and tosses the pieces into the fireplace.

From Los Angeles Times

She was sopping wet from sitting close to the door, and she was shivering.

From Literature

Her damp clothes clung to her shivering body, and her stomach grumbled.

From Literature

Related Words

• flutter
• quiver
• shudder
• vibrate