tremulous

[ trem-yuh-luhs ]

/ ˈtrɛm yə ləs /

adjective

(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.

Nearby words

tremolite, tremolo, tremolo arm, tremor, tremulant, tremulous, trenail, trench, trench coat, trench fever, trench foot

Origin of tremulous

1605–15; < Latin tremulus, equivalent to trem(ere) to tremble + -ulus adj. suffix

SYNONYMS FOR tremulous

1 faltering, hesitant, wavering.

2 frightened; afraid.

Related forms

trem·u·lous·ly, adverbtrem·u·lous·ness, nounun·trem·u·lous, adjectiveun·trem·u·lous·ly, adverb

un·trem·u·lous·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for tremulously

“You have sons, sir,” tremulously articulated Matilda, not choosing to trust her tongue with a name that dwelt ever on her heart.
The Barbadoes Girl|Mrs. Hofland
Ledwith looked on with a sort of tremulously fixed interest.
The Streets of Ascalon|Robert W. Chambers
She started, and tremulously began a string of confused yet eager questions.
The House on the Moor, v. 3/3|Mrs. Oliphant
"I told you it was madness to marry me," she said tremulously.
The Lamp in the Desert|Ethel M. Dell

His question, tremulously put, seemed to ask so much more than it did!
The Faith Doctor|Edward Eggleston

British Dictionary definitions for tremulously

tremulous

/ (ˈtrɛmjʊləs) /

adjective

vibrating slightly; quavering; tremblinga tremulous voice

showing or characterized by fear, anxiety, excitement, etc

Derived Forms

tremulously, adverbtremulousness, noun

Word Origin for tremulous

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 Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medicine definitions for tremulously

tremulous

[ trĕm′yə-ləs ]

adj.

Characterized by tremor.

Related forms

trem′u•lous•ness n.