English Dictionary
Definition of “quake”
quake (kweɪk
)
Definitions
verb (intr)
- to shake or tremble with or as with fear
- to convulse or quiver, as from instability
noun
- the act or an instance of quaking
- informal short for earthquake
Word Origin
Old English cwacian; related to Old English cweccan to shake, Old Irish bocaim, German wackeln
Synonyms
View thesaurus entry
=
shake,
tremble,
quiver,
move,
rock,
shiver,
throb,
shudder,
wobble,
waver,
vibrate,
pulsate,
quail,
totter,
convulse,
Usage examples
Suddenly another figure materialized, someone whose dark presence made me quake with fear.
Harris, Elizabeth, Time of the Wolf (1994)The quake released compression on the fault, further pushing up the mountains.
New Scientist (2003)The local airport was still functioning but Bam's two hospitals collapsed in the quake.
Globe and Mail (2003)The epicentre of the quake - 4.8 on the Richter scale - was six miles beneath Dudley, West Midlands.
Sun, News of the World (2002)Alternatively, maybe they were more receptive to offers because they were seeking comfort after the quake.
Claudia Hammond, EMOTIONAL ROLLERCOASTER: A Journey Through the Science of Feelings (2005)
