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trepidation

[ trep-i-dey-shuhn ]
/ ˌtrɛp ɪˈdeɪ ʃən /
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noun
tremulous fear, alarm, or agitation; perturbation.
Archaic. trembling or quivering movement; tremor.
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Origin of trepidation

First recorded in 1600–10; from Latin trepidātiōn- (stem of trepidātiō ), equivalent to trepidāt(us) (past participle of trepidāre “to hurry, panic, alarm” + -iōn- noun suffix; see trepid, -ate1, -ion

OTHER WORDS FROM trepidation

trep·i·da·tious, adjectivetrep·i·da·tious·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use trepidation in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for trepidation

trepidation
/ (ˌtrɛpɪˈdeɪʃən) /

noun
a state of fear or anxiety
a condition of quaking or palpitation, esp one caused by anxiety

Word Origin for trepidation

C17: from Latin trepidātiō, from trepidāre to be in a state of alarm; compare intrepid
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
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