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trepidation

[ trep-i-dey-shuhn ]
/ ˌtrɛp ɪˈdeɪ ʃən /
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See synonyms for trepidation on Thesaurus.com
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

Words related to trepidation

alarm, apprehension, consternation, dismay, disquiet, dread, excitement, fright, horror, jitters, nervousness, panic, terror, uneasiness, agitation, butterflies, creeps, disturbance, emotion, fear

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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