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
Noun
Layers of safety So bottom line: Keeping a degree of distance from others can help but should be viewed as one arrow in a quiver of strategies to reduce your risk of catching COVID. NPR, 23 June 2024 Runner-up: Smartwool Hike light cushion mid crew socks Smartwool is a brand that’s become synonymous with high-quality, odor-controlling, moisture-managing outdoor apparel, and the light cushion mid crew is just one arrow in the brand’s quiver of functional hiking socks. Emily Pennington, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 June 2023
Verb
Arnold then shows us a close-up of a bright-yellow moth, its wings and antennae quivering in the air, an image of anticipation and eagerness to echo whatever is building between these two teens. Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 14 Feb. 2024 Look for the water to slightly quiver, with one or two small bubbles rising to the surface. Olga Massov, Washington Post, 14 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for quiver 

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 7 Jul. 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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