tremble

[ trem-buhl ]
/ ˈtrɛm bəl /

verb (used without object), trem·bled, trem·bling.

to shake involuntarily with quick, short movements, as from fear, excitement, weakness, or cold; quake; quiver.
to be troubled with fear or apprehension.
(of things) to be affected with vibratory motion.
to be tremulous, as light or sound: His voice trembled.

noun

Origin of tremble

1275–1325; Middle English trem(b)len (v.) < Old French trembler < Vulgar Latin *tremulāre, derivative of Latin tremulus tremulous

SYNONYMS FOR tremble

1 shudder. See shake.
3 oscillate.

OTHER WORDS FROM tremble

trem·bling·ly, adverb un·trem·bling, adjective un·trem·bling·ly, adverb

Example sentences from the Web for tremble

British Dictionary definitions for tremble

tremble
/ (ˈtrɛmbəl) /

verb (intr)

to vibrate with short slight movements; quiver
to shake involuntarily, as with cold or fear; shiver
to experience fear or anxiety

noun

the act or an instance of trembling

Derived forms of tremble

trembling, adjective tremblingly, adverb trembly, adjective

Word Origin for tremble

C14: from Old French trembler, from Medieval Latin tremulāre, from Latin tremulus quivering, from tremere to quake