quiver

1 of 3

noun (1)

quiv·​er ˈkwi-vər 

1

: a case for carrying or holding arrows

2

: the arrows in a quiver

quiver

2 of 3

verb

quivered; quivering ˈkwi-və-riŋ 

ˈkwiv-riŋ

intransitive verb

: to shake or move with a slight trembling motion

quiveringly adverb

quiver

3 of 3

noun (2)

: the act or action of quivering : tremor

Synonyms

Verb

• agitate
• bucket
• convulse
• jerk
• jiggle
• joggle
• jolt
• jounce
• judder [chiefly British]
• quake
• shake
• shudder
• vibrate
• wobble
• wabble

Noun (2)

• shiver
• shudder
• tremble

Examples of quiver in a Sentence

Verb

Her lips quivered when she heard the bad news.

aspen leaves quivering in the breeze

Noun (2)

a quiver ran through the audience when the monster cornered the movie's hero

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Whether the luxury market is simply going through the down phase of a normal business cycle or on the precipice of a much deeper trough, LVMH needs more significant innovations in its quiver. —Pamela N. Danziger, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024

While the Evan’s collection is only meant for eyes, Silvestre also has a quiver of custom surfboards designed especially for the property. —Noah Lederman, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2024

Verb

While the film uses some voiceover narration to tackle that interiority, Ronan often communicates just as much with just a furrowed brow or quivering lip. —Keaton Bell, Vogue, 4 Oct. 2024

There’s the imperious Cardinal Tremblay (a smug and quivering John Lithgow), who was the last person to see the Holy Father before his death, and seems to be hiding a gospel’s worth of alternate truths under his robes. —David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 31 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Anglo-French quivre, of Germanic origin; akin to Old English cocer quiver, Old High German kohhari

Verb

Middle English, probably from quiver agile, quick; akin to Old English cwiferlice zealously

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1786, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

quiver

1 of 3 noun

quiv·​er ˈkwiv-ər 

1

: a case for carrying arrows

2

: the arrows in a quiver

quiver

2 of 3 verb

quivered; quivering ˈkwiv-(ə-)riŋ 

: to move with a slight shaking motion

quiver

3 of 3 noun

: the act or action of quivering : tremor

Etymology

Noun

Middle English quiver "a case for carrying arrows," from early French quivre (same meaning); of Germanic origin

Verb

Middle English quiveren "to quiver," probably from quiver "agile, quick"