quiver

1 of 3

noun (1)

quiv·​er ˈkwi-vər How to pronounce quiver (audio)
1
: a case for carrying or holding arrows
2
: the arrows in a quiver

quiver

2 of 3

verb

quivered; quivering ˈkwi-və-riŋ How to pronounce quiver (audio)
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Viewed from the rear three-quarter angle, the Vanquish recalls an arrow, drawn from its quiver and aimed at the target. Dan Carney, Popular Science, 7 Nov. 2024 The not-so-exact replica only has two arrows in its quiver and is made of far heavier solid bronze. Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 11 Apr. 2024
Verb
Just as the clock struck midnight on October 31, wrapping up another Halloween season, the undisputed queen of Christmas herself, Mariah Carey, struck one last terrifying blow into the hearts of her quivering subjects. Michael Savio, Vulture, 1 Nov. 2024 Some remind me of Piranesi’s imaginary prisons with their multilevel interiors diagonally slashed by staircases and shafts of sunlight, their ambiguous atmosphere quivering with both horror and exhilaration. Justin Davidson, Curbed, 2 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for quiver 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of quiver was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near quiver

Cite this Entry

“Quiver.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quiver. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

quiver

1 of 3 noun
quiv·​er ˈkwiv-ər How to pronounce quiver (audio)
1
: a case for carrying arrows
2
: the arrows in a quiver

quiver

2 of 3 verb
quivered; quivering ˈkwiv-(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce quiver (audio)
: 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"

More from Merriam-Webster on quiver

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