tremble

[ trem-buhl ]

/ ˈtrɛm bəl /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR tremble ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used without object), trem·bled, trem·bling.

to shake involuntarily with quick, short movements, as from fear, excitement, weakness, or cold; quake; quiver.

to be troubled with fear or apprehension.

(of things) to be affected with vibratory motion.

to be tremulous, as light or sound: His voice trembled.

noun

the act of trembling.

a state or fit of trembling.

trembles, (used with a singular verb)

Pathology. milk sickness.
Veterinary Pathology. a toxic condition of cattle and sheep caused by the eating of white snakeroot and characterized by muscular tremors.

Words nearby tremble

trellised, trelliswork, trematoda, trematode, trematodiasis, tremble, trembler, trembles, trembling poplar, trembly, tremendous

Origin of tremble

1275–1325; Middle English trem(b)len (v.) < Old French trembler < Vulgar Latin *tremulāre, derivative of Latin tremulus tremulous

SYNONYMS FOR tremble

1 shudder. See shake.

3 oscillate.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR tremble ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM tremble

trem·bling·ly, adverbun·trem·bling, adjectiveun·trem·bling·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Examples from the Web for trembled

“He turned pale, trembled to a great degree, was much agitated, and began to cry,” she told the court.
New York’s Most Tragic Ghost Loves Minimalist Swedish Fashion|Nina Strochlic|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
When the queen heard this once again, she trembled and shook with rage.
In New Brothers Grimm 'Snow White', The Prince Doesn't Save Her|The Brothers Grimm|November 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Before I could move she flattened her belly to the ground, crouched, trembled, and sprang into his face.
Read ‘The King in Yellow,’ the ‘True Detective’ Reference That’s the Key to the Show|Robert W. Chambers|February 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Then, as I trembled with fear, the driver turned and looked straight at me.
Read ‘The King in Yellow,’ the ‘True Detective’ Reference That’s the Key to the Show|Robert W. Chambers|February 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST

One poised directly above her face, trembled, brushed her mouth lightly.
The Tree of Life|Catherine Lucille Moore
Lucy trembled a little as to what this announcement might be followed up by, in the way of special naughtiness.
Hoodie|Mary Louisa Stewart Molesworth
He held her by her arms and put her from him, and she trembled in all her body, humiliated and rebuked.
The Helpmate|May Sinclair
At least twenty times she trembled violently when a little stone rolled in the rivulet, or a prowling animal jumped over the wall.
The Dream|Emile Zola
He trembled, but the shaman seized his arm and restrained him.
The Delight Makers|Adolf Bandelier

British Dictionary definitions for trembled

tremble

/ (ˈtrɛmbəl) /

verb (intr)

to vibrate with short slight movements; quiver

to shake involuntarily, as with cold or fear; shiver

to experience fear or anxiety

noun

the act or an instance of trembling

Derived forms of tremble

trembling, adjectivetremblingly, adverbtrembly, adjective

Word Origin for tremble

C14: from Old French trembler, from Medieval Latin tremulāre, from Latin tremulus quivering, from tremere to quake

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012