earth tremor
1
3.7
- noun
- /ˈɜrθ ˈtrɛmər/
:
temblor
- Last week, we felt a minor earth tremor that shook the walls but caused no damage.
- a small earth tremor
Examples
-
Geologists reported that the recent earth tremor was weaker than the ones experienced last month.
-
- We had an earth tremor.
-
You know, some kind of earth tremor?
Fiction book (1990) -
The earth tremors are getting stronger.
-
An earth tremor, perhaps.
Fiction book (1998) -
But as Bartta was setting her down, a small earth tremor sent shale scaling down on them.
Fiction book (2001) -
He claims the disturbances are caused by subterranean waters... ...or electric currents, atmospheric pressure, sunspots, earth tremors, etcetera.
-
The residents were alarmed when another earth tremor struck shortly after the initial one.
Synonyms
19
4.9
A small earthquake that moves the ground slightly
4
8.6
A sudden shaking of the ground caused by movement inside the earth
3
4.6
A sudden shaking of the ground that happens when energy is released underground
1
6.1
A sudden shaking of the ground often caused by an earthquake or volcano
A shaking of the ground caused by movement under the earth
How Strong
Surface Forms
Morphology
Both constituent words ('Earth' = the planet/ground and 'tremor' = a minor shaking or small earthquake) directly combine to yield the meaning 'a small earthquake'. This compositional pattern is literal and cross-linguistically transparent, so a B1 learner who knows the parts would readily infer the MWE's meaning.
Etymology
Earth tremor comes from the simple image of the earth giving a short, gentle shake, a 'tremor' under your feet. That's why the phrase means a small, mild earthquake.