tremulousadj.
/ˈtrɛmjʊləs/ 1.
a. Of persons, their limbs, etc.: Characterized or affected by trembling or quivering from nervous agitation or weakness, of mental or physical origin; hence, fearful, timorous.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > fear > timidity > [adjective]
arghc885
unboldc897
bletheOE
feyOE
frightfula1325
fearedc1330
fearfulc1374
ferdfula1382
palea1393
ferdya1400
ghastful1422
tremblingc1430
timorousc1450
cremeuse1477
craintive1490
cocklea1500
sheepish?1518
awfula1522
meticulousc1540
timidc1550
sheepa1556
tremebundc1560
timorsomec1600
tremulous1611
pigeon-hearteda1625
affrightful1631
formidolous1656
pavid1656
timidous1658
unsupported1694
tender-nosed1700
scary1773
pippin-hearted1809
kitten-hearted1831
funky1835
misventurous1849
milksoppish1852
tender-footed1854
fearsome1863
scare1885
milksoppy1886
milksopping1888
cotton wool1909
the mind > emotion > excitement > nervous excitement > [adjective] > nervously excited or agitated
high-wrought1579
feverous1587
tremulous1611
feverish1637
overwound1640
gestient1644
overwrought1648
twittering1648
fevereda1657
tumultuous1667
wrought-up1688
flustered1743
trepidatinga1774
flurried1775
wrought1778
riled1825
tête montée1825
worked up1831
tumultuating1854
trepidant1891
tremorous1897
wroughted1905
goosy1906
hotted-up1923
steamed1923
spooky1926
antsy-pantsy1944
antsy1950
agitato1964
amped1967
wired1970
the world > movement > motion in specific manner > alternating or reciprocating motion > oscillation > vibration > [adjective] > trembling or quivering
tremblinga1400
aspen?c1412
quavering?a1439
didderingc1440
wavering1488
quavery1519
quiveringa1547
warbling1549
tremble1568
quiverish1582
tremefacting1599
aguisha1602
tremulous1611
twittering1648
brandishing1658
micant1661
shivery1747
shivering1762
tremulating1813
dithing1818
dithering1821
quivery1833
tremulant1837
trembly1846
thrilling1850
trepidatory1881
shuddering1893
doddery1919
1611 J. Speed Hist. Great Brit. ix. viii. 496/1 The Monkes [being]..very tremulous to enter matter of new intrications.
1667 R. Allestree Causes Decay Christian Piety xi. 310 The tender tremulous Christian, 'tis easie to discern how much he must be distracted and amaz'd by them.
1714 R. Fiddes Pract. Disc. (ed. 3) I. 310 I shall appear to be of an abject and tremulous spirit.
1785 W. Cowper Task ii. 729 His voice unstrung Grew tremulous.
1897 R. Hichens Londoners (1902) 101 She gained the purple drawing-room on rather tremulous feet.
b. Said of writing, a line, or the like, done by a tremulous hand; hence, finely wavy.
2.
a. Of things: Characterized by trembling or vibration; vibratory; easily caused to vibrate or tremble.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in specific manner > alternating or reciprocating motion > oscillation > vibration > [adjective] > characterized by or consisting of vibration
tremulous?1624
vibrating1685
vibratory1728
vibratile1826
?1624 G. Chapman tr. Crowne Homers Wks. 122 That doth with Cymball sounds, delight her life; and tremulous diuisions of the Fife.
1664 H. Power Exper. Philos. i. 21 In my long Telescope I can some days see a tremulous Motion and Agitation of rowling fumes, and strong Atoms in the air.
1774 O. Goldsmith Hist. Earth VI. 265 A tremulous motion which this animal [sc. torpedo] is found to possess.
1815 J. Smith Panorama Sci. & Art II. 497 Gelatine, or jelly,..has a soft tremulous consistence.
1860 F. W. Farrar Ess. Origin Lang. i. 6 The tremulous ripple on the surface of the sea.
b. Ready to vibrate in response to some influence; also figurative tremblingly sensitive or responsive.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > resonance or sonority > [adjective] > vibrant
shivering1669
tremulous1794
throbbing1847
vibrant1848
vibrate1849
vibrating1849
1794 G. Adams Lect. Nat. & Exper. Philos. IV. xlix. 406 Columns of marble or porphyry are tremulous to thunder explosions, and certain tones of an organ.
1867 H. Macmillan Bible Teachings (1870) i. 3 He is tremulous..to all the influences of the hour and scene.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > taste and flavour > [adjective] > having taste
savoureda1398
gusted1535
verdured1541
smoky1542
relished1567
sapient1599
tasted1604
sapid1634
gustable1657
saporousa1670
palated1671
tremulous1675
saltly1736
garlicky1775
slaty1824
trufflesque1841
pepperminty1854
flavoured1867
tasting1907
tomatoey1909
1675 N. Grew Disc. Tastes Plants i. §15 Tasts are either Still, as usually; or may be called Tremulous, as the Heat produced by Pyrethrum.
1707 tr. P. Le Lorrain de Vallemont Curiosities in Husbandry & Gardening 39 Grew..finds in Plants sixteen sorts of Tastes... 16. Tremulous, as the Root of wild Pellitory.
4. Characterized by use of the tremolo in singing.Apparently an isolated use.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > performing music > singing > singing voice > [adjective] > qualities of voice
sweetened1567
flexible1712
plump1775
veiled1816
mezza voce1853
tremulant1884
tremulous1884
well-modulated1934
1884 Pall Mall Gaz. 26 July 4/1 He quivered and shook himself all to pieces with the tremulous fever now so fashionable.
1887 Daily News 25 July 4/8 The tremulous vocalists one after the other failed to win popular favour.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1914; most recently modified version published online September 2021).
<
adj.1611