shiver

¹

[shiv-er]

verb (used without object)

1. to shake or tremble with cold, fear, excitement, etc.

2. Nautical.

   1. (of a fore-and-aft sail) to shake when too close to the wind.

   2. (of a sailing vessel) to be headed so close to the wind that the sails shake.

noun

1. a tremulous motion; a tremble or quiver.

   The thought sent a shiver down her spine.

2. (the) shivers, an attack of shivering or chills.

shiver

²

[shiv-er]

verb (used with or without object)

1. to break or split into fragments.

noun

1. a fragment; splinter.

shiver

¹

/ ˈʃɪvə /

verb

1. to shake or tremble, as from cold or fear

2. 1. (of a sail) to luff; flap or shake

   2. (of a sailing vessel) to sail close enough to the wind to make the sails luff

noun

1. the act of shivering; a tremulous motion

2. an attack of shivering, esp through fear or illness

shiver

²

/ ˈʃɪvə /

verb

1. to break or cause to break into fragments

noun

1. a splintered piece

Other Word Forms

• shivering adjective
• shiverer noun
• shiveringly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of shiver¹

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English noun chivere; later sh-, apparently for the sake of alliteration in phrase chiver and shake

Origin of shiver²

1150–1200; (noun) Middle English schivere fragment; cognate with German Schiefer schist; (v.) Middle English schiveren, derivative of the noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of shiver¹

C13 chiveren, perhaps variant of chevelen to chatter (used of teeth), from Old English ceafl _jowl ¹

Origin of shiver²

C13: of Germanic origin; compare Old High German scivaro, Middle Dutch scheveren to shiver, Old Norse skīfa to split

Synonym Study

Shiver, quake, shudder refer to a vibratory muscular movement, a trembling, usually involuntary. We shiver with cold, or a sensation such as that of cold: to shiver in thin clothing on a frosty day; to shiver with pleasant anticipation. We quake especially with fear: to quake with fright. We shudder with horror or abhorrence; the agitation is more powerful and deep-seated than shivering or trembling: to shudder at pictures of a concentration camp.

Example Sentences

But on this trek he had lost his pack and was at the mercy of the elements ever since, hungry, dehydrated and shivering under a bed of needles.

From Los Angeles Times

But two things will send shivers down western diplomatic spines.

From BBC

Then something subtle but definitive occurs as Chris rises off his couch: a man and a woman lean in and nuzzle his neck, coaxing both a shiver and a smile out of him.

From Salon

She also described shivering episodes - which caused her temperature to rise - as "crazy".

From BBC

Wilson warns viewers will be left "shivering with disgust" while also "amazed with the wonder of it all".

From BBC

Related Words

• flutter 
• quiver 
• shudder 
• vibrate