Trembling
/ˈtrɛm.blɪŋ/noun
Shaking involuntarily, often because of fear, cold, excitement, or physical strain.
Did you know?The ancient Latin verb tremere could describe both physical shaking and the fearful awe inspired by something powerful, linking trembling with reverence as well as terror.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*trem-
“To tremble or shake”
Ancient Greek
Greek
τρέμειν (tremein)
“To tremble, especially from fear”
Classical Latin
Latin
tremere
“To tremble, quiver, or be afraid”
12th–13th Century
Old French
trembler
“To shake or quiver”
14th Century
Middle English
tremblen
“To shake involuntarily or with fear”
Modern English
English
trembling
“Shaking; the present participle of “tremble””
Explore more surprising origins