shiver

¹shiv·er

noun \ˈshi-vər\

Definition of SHIVER

: one of the small pieces into which a brittle thing is broken by sudden violence

Origin of SHIVER

Middle English; akin to Old High German scivaro splinter

First Known Use: 13th century

Rhymes with SHIVER

flivver, giver, liver, quiver, river, sliver

²shiver

verb

shiv·eredshiv·er·ing \ˈshi-və-riŋ, ˈshiv-riŋ\

Definition of SHIVER

: to break into many small pieces : shatter

First Known Use of SHIVER

13th century

Rhymes with SHIVER

quiver

³shiver

verb

shiv·eredshiv·er·ing \ˈshi-və-riŋ, ˈshiv-riŋ\

Definition of SHIVER

intransitive verb

1

: to undergo trembling : quiver

2

: to tremble in the wind as it strikes first one and then the other side (of a sail)

transitive verb

: to cause (a sail) to shiver by steering close to the wind

Origin of SHIVER

Middle English, alteration of chiveren

First Known Use: 15th century

⁴shiver

noun

Definition of SHIVER

1

: an instance of shivering : tremble

2

: an intense shivery sensation especially of fear —often used in plural with the <horror movies give him the shivers>

3

: a hard blow (as with a forearm) especially to the head or neck

First Known Use of SHIVER

1727