tremble Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a reflex motion caused by cold or fear or excitement
    shiver; shake.
  2. verb move or jerk quickly and involuntarily up and down or sideways
    • His hands were trembling when he signed the document

WordNet

Trem"ble intransitive verb
Etymology
F. trembler, fr. L. tremulus trembling, tremulous, fr. tremere to shake, tremble; akin to Gr. , Lith. trimti. Cf. Tremulous, Tremor.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Trembled ; present participle & verbal noun Trembling
Definitions
  1. To shake involuntarily, as with fear, cold, or weakness; to quake; to quiver; to shiver; to shudder; -- said of a person or an animal.
    I tremble still with fear. Shak.
    Frighted Turnus trembled as he spoke. Dryden.
  2. To totter; to shake; -- said of a thing.
    The Mount of Sinai, whose gray top Shall tremble. Milton.
  3. To quaver or shake, as sound; to be tremulous; as the voice trembles.
Trem"ble noun
Definitions
  1. An involuntary shaking or quivering.
    I am all of a tremble when I think of it. W. Black.

Webster 1913