tremble

 
Pronunciation: /ˈtrɛmb(ə)l/

verb

[no object]
  • shake involuntarily, typically as a result of anxiety, excitement, or frailty: Isobel was trembling with excitement
  • be in a state of extreme apprehension: [with infinitive]: I tremble to think that we could ever return to conditions like these
  • shake or quiver slightly: the earth trembled beneath their feet

noun

  • 1a trembling feeling, movement, or sound: there was a slight tremble in his voice
  • 2 (the trembles) informal a physical or emotional condition marked by trembling.
  • another term for milk sickness.

Phrases

all of a tremble

informal extremely agitated or excited.

Derivatives

trembling

adjective

tremblingly

adverb

Origin:

Middle English (as a verb): from Old French trembler, from medieval Latin tremulare, from Latin tremulus (see tremulous)