SHIVER Definition & Meaning

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shiver

[ shiv-er ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used without object)

to shake or tremble with cold, fear, excitement, etc.
Nautical.
1. (of a fore-and-aft sail) to shake when too close to the wind.
2. (of a sailing vessel) to be headed so close to the wind that the sails shake.

noun

a tremulous motion; a tremble or quiver:
The thought sent a shiver down her spine.
(the) shivers, an attack of shivering or chills.

shiver

[ shiv-er ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used with or without object)

to break or split into fragments.

noun

a fragment; splinter.

shiver

/ ˈʃɪ��ə /

verb

to shake or tremble, as from cold or fear
1. (of a sail) to luff; flap or shake
2. (of a sailing vessel) to sail close enough to the wind to make the sails luff

noun

the act of shivering; a tremulous motion
the shivers
an attack of shivering, esp through fear or illness

shiver

/ ˈʃɪ��ə /

verb

to break or cause to break into fragments

noun

a splintered piece

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Derived Forms

ˈ��󾱱��Բ�, adjective
ˈ��󾱱��, noun

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Other 51�Թ� Forms

��󾱱�İ�·�� noun
��󾱱�İ�·��Բ�·�� adverb

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of shiver¹

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English noun chivere; later sh-, apparently for the sake of alliteration in phrase chiver and shake

Origin of shiver²

1150–1200; (noun) Middle English schivere fragment; cognate with German Schiefer schist; (v.) Middle English schiveren, derivative of the noun

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of shiver¹

C13 chiveren, perhaps variant of chevelen to chatter (used of teeth), from Old English ceafl jowl ¹

Origin of shiver²

C13: of Germanic origin; compare Old High German scivaro, Middle Dutch scheveren to shiver, Old Norse ��ī�ڲ� to split

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Synonym Study

Shiver, quake, shudder refer to a vibratory muscular movement, a trembling, usually involuntary. We shiver with cold, or a sensation such as that of cold: to shiver in thin clothing on a frosty day; to shiver with pleasant anticipation. We quake especially with fear: to quake with fright. We shudder with horror or abhorrence; the agitation is more powerful and deep-seated than shivering or trembling: to shudder at pictures of a concentration camp.

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

“Why should I be scared of this man? Because he's rich? Oh, no, I'm trembling. Ooh, shivering in my boots here,” she said.

From

I started to shiver, either from the temperature, or adrenaline or both.

From

Behind him were several people apparently shivering from the cold as the waves crashed against the oil platform's pillars.

From

With Leftie and Lonnie en route to the cabin, the score pulses with what sounds like a ticking time bomb, plus something like an eerie musical saw for some extra shivers.

From

"I had shivers down my spine," she said.

From

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