Shudder

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -ÊŒdÉ™(r)

Origin

Either from Middle Dutch schudderen or from Middle Low German schoderen

Online Etymology Dictionary

(whence also Danish skudre). Cognate with Low German schüdden, Dutch schudden and German schaudern.

Full definition of shudder

Noun

1. A shivering tremor.
2. A moment of almost pleasurable fear; a frisson.

Synonyms

• (shivering tremor): jiggle, quake, rumble, quiver
• (frisson): shiver, quiver, tingle, thrill

Verb

1. (intransitive) To shake nervously, as if from fear.
2. (intransitive) To vibrate jerkily.

Synonyms

• (shake nervously): palpitate, shiver, shake, quake
• (vibrate jerkily): flutter, jiggle, shake, wiggle