Definition

1. Verb:

   • To make small, quick, and involuntary movements, typically up and down or from side to side, often due to cold, fear, excitement, or weakness.
   • To feel or show fear, anxiety, or agitation.

2. Noun:

   • An instance or the act of trembling; a quiver or shake.

Usage

• Verb: Used to describe an involuntary, rhythmic shaking of the body or a part of the body.
• Noun: Used to refer to the shaking movement itself or the state of being in such a condition.

Examples

• Verb:
  • Her voice began to tremble as she spoke about the accident.
  • The leaves tremble in the gentle breeze.
  • He could not stop his hands from trembling.
• Noun:
  • There was a noticeable tremble in his fingers.
  • She answered the question with a tremble in her voice.

Advanced Usage

• "to tremble at the thought of...": To be very frightened or anxious about a potential situation.
  • I tremble at the thought of having to give a public speech.
• "to tremble for someone": To be very worried or fearful for someone's safety or well-being.
  • She trembled for her son when she heard about the storm.
• "to tremble in the balance": (Idiomatic) To be in a state of uncertainty where the outcome is about to be decided.
  • The fate of the peace treaty trembled in the balance.

Variants and Related Words

• Trembling (noun/adj): The action or fact of shaking; characterized by shakes.
  • He spoke with a trembling voice.
• Trembly (adj, informal): Inclined to tremble; shaky.
  • She felt weak and trembly after the shock.

Synonyms

• Shake: To move with short, quick movements back and forth or up and down.
• Quiver: To shake with a slight, rapid motion.
• Shiver: To shake slightly and uncontrollably, typically from cold or fear.
• Quake: To shake or tremble violently.

Related Phrasal Verbs

(Note: "Tremble" is not commonly used to form standard phrasal verbs. The advanced idiomatic usages above function similarly.)

Related Idioms

• "All of a tremble": In a state of nervous excitement or fear.
  • She was all of a tremble before her interview.

Noun

1. a reflex motion caused by cold or fear or excitement

Verb

1. move or jerk quickly and involuntarily up and down or sideways
   • His hands were trembling when he signed the document