tremor

American  

[trem-er, tree-mer] / ˈtrɛm ər, ˈtri mər /

noun

1. involuntary shaking of the body or limbs, as from disease, fear, weakness, or excitement; a fit of trembling.

   Synonyms:

   quiver, shiver, shudder

2. any tremulous or vibratory movement; vibration.

   tremors following an earthquake.

3. a trembling or quivering effect, as of light.

   Synonyms:

   oscillation

4. a quavering sound, as of the voice.

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tremor British  

/ ˈtrɛmə /

noun

1. an involuntary shudder or vibration, as from illness, fear, shock, etc

2. any trembling or quivering movement

3. a vibrating or trembling effect, as of sound or light

4. Also called: earth tremor.  a minor earthquake

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verb

1. (intr) to tremble

tremor Scientific  

/ trĕm′ər /

1. A relatively minor seismic shaking or vibrating movement. Tremors often precede larger earthquakes or volcanic eruptions.

2. An involuntary shaking or trembling of the head or extremities that can be idiopathic or associated with any of various medical conditions, such as Parkinson's disease.

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Other Word Forms

• tremorless adjective
• tremorous adjective

Etymology

Origin of tremor

1325–75; Middle English < Latin: a trembling, equivalent to trem ( ere ) to tremble + -or -or ¹

Example Sentences

There had been tremors for days, and the birds had flown.

From The Wall Street Journal

The genetic neuroscience company said the Food and Drug Administration had granted breakthrough therapy designation for ulixacaltamide, a treatment for patients with essential tremor.

From Barron's

The genetic neuroscience company said the Food and Drug Administration had granted breakthrough therapy designation for ulixacaltamide, a treatment for patients with essential tremor.

From Barron's

The two largest earthquakes occurred just hours apart near Loch Lyon in Perth and Kinross, Scotland, when a 3.7 magnitude tremor was registered on 20 October, followed by one of 3.6.

From BBC

Much like earthquakes help scientists explore Earth's interior, these stellar tremors allowed astronomers to probe deep inside the star and precisely measure properties of its core.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• earthquake
• shiver
• upheaval
• vibration