Shudderer

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A person who experiences or manifests a sudden, involuntary shaking or tremor, often due to fear or disgust
2. one who exhibits a physical reaction of quivering in response to unsettling stimuli
3. an individual compelled to tremble or shake as a result of anxiety or strong emotions

Etymology: Shudderer is a plain formation: the verb "shudder" plus the agent suffix "-er," which turns an action into the name of whoever performs it. A "baker" bakes and a "hunter" hunts, and a shudderer is simply one who shudders. The verb itself is probably related to Middle Low German or Dutch words meaning to shake or jolt, which is why its sense centres on a sudden, involuntary trembling of the body. English has used "shudder" for a long time, and the noun is a transparent derivative of it, so the word needs little more explanation. Its meaning follows directly from the verb's sense of quivering in response to something unpleasant.

Synonyms: trembler, quaker, shaker