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| Date: | 1600-1700 |
| Language: | Latin |
| Origin: | , past participle of vibrare 'to shake' |
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vi‧brate
[intransitive and transitive]
[intransitive and transitive]The floor was vibrating to the beat of the music.As air passes over our vocal cords, it makes them vibrate. ➔ see usage note shake1WORD CHOICE: WORD CHOICE:
shake, wobble, rattle, vibrate, tremble, shiverShake is a fairly general word. It can be used to talk about objects moving • There was a loud bang and the building shook. It can also be used to talk about people's bodies moving because of cold, strong emotion, or illness • Mary shook with rage. If something wobbles, it moves from side to side because it is not steady or balanced • The desk wobbles when you put anything on it.If something hard rattles, it shakes and makes a quick series of short sounds • The wind blew and the windows rattled.If something vibrates, it makes small quick regular movements that you can hear or feel • The engine began to vibrate.If someone trembles, their body shakes with very small movements, especially because they are angry, afraid, or excited • Trembling, she approached him.If someone shivers, their body shakes with small movements, especially because they are cold or frightened • We sat shivering under a blanket. ➔ See also shake
WORD CHOICE: shake, wobble, rattle, vibrate, tremble, shiverShake is a fairly general word. It can be used to talk about objects moving • There was a loud bang and the building shook. It can also be used to talk about people's bodies moving because of cold, strong emotion, or illness • Mary shook with rage. If something wobbles, it moves from side to side because it is not steady or balanced • The desk wobbles when you put anything on it.If something hard rattles, it shakes and makes a quick series of short sounds • The wind blew and the windows rattled.If something vibrates, it makes small quick regular movements that you can hear or feel • The engine began to vibrate.If someone trembles, their body shakes with very small movements, especially because they are angry, afraid, or excited • Trembling, she approached him.If someone shivers, their body shakes with small movements, especially because they are cold or frightened • We sat shivering under a blanket. ➔ See also shake
