to quiver

Examples

• All

• The lace that edged the open neck of her nightdress quivered from the pounding of her heart.

  Fiction book (1991)

• The doctor's eyelids quivered and he began to breathe more regularly, regaining his senses.

  Fiction book (1991)

• I looked across the circle at her back, which seemed to quiver, as though she was cold.

  Fiction book (1991)

• Many teachers quiver in fear when an administrator walks into their classroom.

  Academic text (2008)

• " She lost her smile and the corners of her mouth began to quiver strangely.

  Fiction book (1990)

• The shaft of sunlight quivered, moving through the summer leaves, through the drowsy day.

  Fiction book (1990)

• "You've been seeing those people?" The old man quivered with outrage.

  Fiction book (1991)

• His tiny heart is dashing; his short, plump limbs are quivering with terror.

  Academic text (2007)

• The cold wind made her body quiver as she stood outside waiting for the bus.

• He tried to hide his fear, but his hands began to quiver when he saw the approaching dog.

Synonyms

S

to shiver

vsto quiver

115 1.2

To shake slightly because of cold, fear or excitement

matches the slight movement but is not tied to specific causes like cold

V

to vibrate

vsto quiver

91 2.8

To make very small, quick moves back and forth

is the same quick motion but usually for slight bodily trembling

T

to twitch

vsto quiver

66 2.8

To make a sudden small movement you cannot control, especially of a body part

is steadier and involves repeated slight rapid movements rather than a single jerk

W

to wobble

vsto quiver

40 3.8

To move or shake unsteadily from side to side

is more about quick tiny shakes rather than larger side to side motion

W

to waver

vsto quiver

12 4.8

To move or shake in a slight, unsteady way

is quicker and more rapid rather than slow swaying or unsteadiness

S

to shake like a leaf

vsto quiver

• Informal

3 4.6

To tremble a lot because you are afraid, nervous, or cold

is milder and describes slight rapid shaking rather than strong trembling

J

to jitter

vsto quiver

2 4.6

To shake or move quickly because you are nervous

is similar speedwise but is gentler and not necessarily nervous or jerky

S

to shimmy

vsto quiver

1 7.4

To shake slightly with quick movements

is similar but stresses a natural slight trembling rather than a dancelike shake

D

to didder

vsto quiver

• Archaic

9.9

To shake slightly, often because of cold or strong feeling

shares the slight trembling but is more general and not only nervous

W

to wabble

vsto quiver

8.9

To move unsteadily from side to side

is closer to small rapid trembling rather than broad irregular wobbling

Antonyms

S

to steady

41 3.4

To make yourself or something stop moving

Idioms

A

arrow in someone's quiver

• Informal

7.2

An extra skill or resource you can use when needed

Compounds

E

empty quiver

• Literature

9.9

Having nothing needed to deal with a problem

E

Empty Quiver approach

• Jargon

9.9

To use all available resources and keep nothing in reserve

Q

quiver of excitement

4.4

A small sudden feeling of joy and nervous energy

How Shaky

to shudder

85 3.7

tremble

23 2.7

to shake

916 1.0

to quiver

47 4.5

to twitch

66 2.8

Surface Forms

Etymology