tremble

Word family

trem·ble /ˈtrembəl/ verb [intransitiveI]

1 SHAKEto shake slightly in a way that you cannot control, especially because you are upset or frightened 〔尤指因难受或受到惊吓而〕颤抖，发抖，战栗

His lip started to tremble and then he started to cry.

他的嘴唇开始颤抖，接着就哭了起来。

tremble with anger/fear etc

Greene was on his feet now, his body trembling with rage.

格林这会儿站了起来，气得全身直哆嗦。

2 SHAKEto shake slightly 〔轻微地〕摇晃，震颤

The whole house trembled as the train went by.

火车开过，整座房子都在震颤。

3. NERVOUSif your voice trembles, it sounds nervous and unsteady 〔声音〕颤抖

4 WORRIEDto be worried or frightened about something 焦虑，担忧；担惊受怕

I tremble to think what will happen when she finds out.

一想到她知道了会怎样，我就害怕。

—tremble noun [countableC]

Examples from the Corpus

tremble• Miguel stood still, lips trembling.• She was still trembling a little inside, and the thought of staying here in this house on her own made her nervous.• Jane's lip began to tremble and I though she was going to cry.• Ginna's whole body trembled as she spoke about her son's death.• The ground beneath them trembled as the trucks rolled past.• The dog sat trembling in a corner.• I hurried home, my heart pounding and my hands trembling in spite of myself-I could not believe it.• She trembled involuntarily when she saw him.• While this cooked Baucis set the table with her trembling old hands.• She had begun to tremble with a sort of frightened and frustrated fury.• Polly hid behind the door, trembling with fear.

tremble with anger/fear etc• Before I had heard a dozen words, I was trembling with fear.• Her body was trembling with fear.• Her hands were trembling with anger.• Thus she left them, and Metaneira fell speechless to the earth and all there trembled with fear.• Then I saw that his bloodless lips were pulled back from his huge white teeth ... I trembled with fear and horror.• I could tell Roque was trembling with anger, and I admit to feeling bad when he slammed down the phone.• Eli has been trembling with fear for the ark.• We gave him a cup of tea-he was trembling with fear-while we discussed what to do.

tremble to think• I tremble to think of it.• She trembled to think what the Trunchbull would do to her if she did that.

Origin tremble

(1300-1400) Old French trembler, from Latin tremulus “shaking”, from tremere “to tremble”

trem·ble verb

Chinese

Syllable

Corpus