tremulous
[trem-yuh-luh s]
- (of persons, the body, etc.) characterized by trembling, as from fear, nervousness, or weakness.
- timid; timorous; fearful.
- (of things) vibratory, shaking, or quivering.
- (of writing) done with a trembling hand.
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Origin of tremulous
1605–15; < Latin tremulus, equivalent to trem(ere) to tremble + -ulus adj. suffix
Synonyms
See more synonyms for tremulous on Thesaurus.com1. faltering, hesitant, wavering. 2. frightened; afraid.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for tremulous
Contemporary Examples
This year that tremulous feeling of going to the airport became different.
That tremulous “uhhhh,” which lasted more than a full second, gave the game away.
Rather than risk creating a “tremulous” signature, Lincoln instead commenced massaging his giant hands together.
Historical Examples
The aged philosopher endeavoured to speak, but his voice was tremulous with emotion.
PhilotheaLydia Maria Child
The bridge was tremulous beneath me, and marked the tremor of the solid earth.
Other Tales and SketchesNathaniel Hawthorne
"It was my father's sword," replied Theseus, with a tremulous voice.
Tanglewood TalesNathaniel Hawthorne
In the first place, Marcia's tremulous state made it difficult.
The Coryston FamilyMrs. Humphry Ward
He was feeble, and his hands were tremulous with a perpetual nervous motion.
Henry DunbarM. E. Braddon
tremulous
- vibrating slightly; quavering; tremblinga tremulous voice
- showing or characterized by fear, anxiety, excitement, etc
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Word Origin
C17: from Latin tremulus quivering, from tremere to shake
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for tremulous
adj.
1610s, from Latin tremulus "shaking, quivering," from tremere (see tremble).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
tremulous
(trĕm′yə-ləs)- Characterized by tremor.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.