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
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The package also includes six arrows, an illuminated scope, and a quiver. Tony Hansen, Field & Stream, 19 July 2023 But the strongest economic arrow in its quiver wouldn’t do much damage. Stephen G. Brooks, Foreign Affairs, 18 Apr. 2023 Now and then, the very space around him quivers in response, as if his tremors of conscience were giving off shock waves. Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 20 July 2023 What a wonderful thing to have in your quiver of arrows. Vulture, 17 July 2023 Colleges and universities have new tools in their arsenal, new arrows in their quiver. David Rosowsky, Forbes, 4 May 2023 Associated Press Christie takes his anti-Trump slingshot to N.H. DERRY, N.H. — Chris Christie brought his Talking Truth to Donald Trump performance back to New Hampshire on Wednesday evening, aiming a fresh quiver of poison darts at the former president. BostonGlobe.com, 22 June 2023 Reasonably priced, these ski pants offer a straightforward, no-frills option ideal for those still focused on building their quiver of skills. Aaron H. Bible, Popular Mechanics, 24 Jan. 2023 Designed for waist-to-head-high surf, this is a one-board quiver if there ever was one. Zander Morton, Outside Online, 27 May 2022
Verb
Rapid, erratic heart signals cause the lower heart chambers to quiver uselessly instead of pumping blood. Christopher Desimone, M.d., Ph.d. Mayo Foundation For Medical Education and Research, Chicago Tribune, 4 Aug. 2023 On very rough roads, the cowl does quiver noticeably when the two ends of the car are twisted in opposite directions, but the RX-7 keeps its tires nicely planted. Csaba Csere, Car and Driver, 11 Aug. 2023 Part of the credit for that has to go to Ludwig Göransson’s magnificent score, which quivers and rumbles throughout, building and building the same way that Nolan’s narrative does. Vulture, 27 July 2023 The duet with O’Connor is my favorite rendition: raw, quivering, a little off-kilter, unbearably intimate. Amanda Petrusich, The New Yorker, 27 July 2023 The bird quivered, seemed to doze for a minute, and took flight. The Arizona Republic, 30 June 2023 While the crowd rang out with applause at the presentation of each award, less delighted with the cannons was April, a small white dog, who was still quivering minutes after the final blast. Ivy Scott, BostonGlobe.com, 22 Apr. 2023 Stella didn’t use masking tape on his paintings, and his lines often quiver; Pape’s prints bear the organic nature of her materials — the grain of wood and the grain of paper. Carolina A. Miranda, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2023 Jackson’s props, characters, and story were quickly subsumed by the conquering power that is Gwar; absorbed like the quivering flesh of their enemies. Jackson Landers, SPIN, 10 Apr. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'quiver.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 27 Sep. 2023.

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"

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