tremor

[trem-er, tree-mer]

noun

1. involuntary shaking of the body or limbs, as from disease, fear, weakness, or excitement; a fit of trembling.

   Synonyms: quiver, shiver, shudder

2. any tremulous or vibratory movement; vibration.

   tremors following an earthquake.

3. a trembling or quivering effect, as of light.

   Synonyms: oscillation

4. a quavering sound, as of the voice.

tremor

/ ˈtrɛmə /

noun

1. an involuntary shudder or vibration, as from illness, fear, shock, etc

2. any trembling or quivering movement

3. a vibrating or trembling effect, as of sound or light

4. Also called: earth tremor. a minor earthquake

verb

1. (intr) to tremble

tremor

1. A relatively minor seismic shaking or vibrating movement. Tremors often precede larger earthquakes or volcanic eruptions.

2. An involuntary shaking or trembling of the head or extremities that can be idiopathic or associated with any of various medical conditions, such as Parkinson's disease.

Other Word Forms

• tremorous adjective
• tremorless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tremor¹

1325–75; Middle English < Latin: a trembling, equivalent to trem ( ere ) to tremble + -or -or ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of tremor¹

C14: from Latin: a shaking, from tremere to tremble, quake

Example Sentences

More than 120 tremors were recorded at the site on Preston New Road before drilling was halted.

From BBC

"We didn't sleep until morning. After the earthquake, there were small tremors, and there are still."

From BBC

Currie had already suspected Parkinson’s — tremors suddenly made playing guitar and bass parts challenging and even walking and singing required more conscious effort — but the confirmation was a blow anyway.

From Los Angeles Times

As a result, Cameron's promised "shale gas revolution" never materialised and in 2019, tremors were recorded at a fracking site, leading to a ban.

From BBC

Sixteen buildings collapsed as a result of the tremors, and 29 people had been injured, Ali Yerlikaya added.

From BBC

Related Words

• earthquake 
• shiver 
• upheaval 
• vibration