Trepidant
/ˈtrɛpɪdənt/noun
Marked by nervous uncertainty or trembling anxiety.
Did you know?Trepidant ultimately traces back to a Latin root meaning “to tremble,” the same ancient idea behind words for fear, shaking, and sudden alarm.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*trep-
“to tremble, turn, or move quickly”
Latin
Latin
trepidāre
“to be in alarm, hurry in panic, tremble”
Latin
Latin
trepidāns
“trembling, agitated, anxious”
Late Latin / Medieval Latin
Latin
trepidant-
“trembling, fearful, agitated”
Modern English
English
trepidant
“showing nervous uncertainty or apprehension”