Quaking

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. A rapid or violent shaking movement often caused by physical force or cold ; a condition of severe nervousness or dread that causes visible trembling or shaking
2. A noticeable trembling or vibrating motion of an object or person ; an emotional state where fear or worry leads to shaking of the body
3. The act of moving unsteadily or shivering usually due to cold or shock ; a psychological response marked by strong apprehension or fright resulting in trembling

Etymology: Quaking is the present participle of "quake," and its roots run back to Old English. The verb "cwacian" meant "to quake, tremble," and from it came the participle "cwaciende," which gave Middle English forms such as "quakand" and "quakynge." The noun-like "quakinge" and "quakyng" were built from the same stem with the ending "-ing," so the English word has been shaking, quite literally, for more than a thousand years. The verb "quake" itself is native and shares its sense of trembling with the older "cwacian," which describes an unsteady motion rather than a single sharp jolt. Over time the word moved from physical shaking, as with cold or ground movement, toward the fear-driven trembling it carries now.

Synonyms: trembling, shaking, quivering, vibrating, shuddering

Antonyms: calm, steady, still, stable, settled