tremulous fear, alarm, or agitation; perturbation.
trembling or quivering movement; tremor.
Origin of trepidation
1595–1605; <Latin trepidātiōn- (stem of trepidātiō), equivalent to trepidāt(us) (past participle of trepidāre to hurry, alarm; see trepid, -ate1) + -iōn--ion
“I feel a shaking of the ground I stand on,” Carson tells Mrs. Hughes with trepidation.
What Downton’s Fashion Really Means|Katie Baker|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
“I brought it with no small degree of trepidation,” Kucinich recalled in a lengthy phone conversation with the Daily Beast.
Repubs Should Take It From Kucinich: Impeachment Isn’t Worth It|Eleanor Clift|December 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Less than a month before Election Day, Pressler seems to be feeling some trepidation about his movement in the polls.
South Dakota's Bizarre Four-Way (Senate Election, That Is)|Ben Jacobs|October 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Asked whether he had any trepidation about joining a show about a bunch of Hollywood brats, Johnson said yes.
The Fabulous Life of EJ Johnson, the Stylish Son of the Lakers Legend|Itay Hod|June 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Hope and trepidation persists that the twins presence indicates the coming of an Avengers/X-Men crossover film.
A Guide to Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver, the Twins Teased at the End of ‘Captain America: The Winter Soldier’|Rich Goldstein|April 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Brutus himself received a wound in their eagerness and trepidation.
Walks in Rome|Augustus J.C. Hare
An eyewitness says of these martyrs to liberty: "They behaved with firmness, evincing no hesitation or trepidation whatever."
Kentucky in American Letters, v. 2 of 2|John Wilson Townsend
It was when my saintly mother was passing into the spiritland, and, without fear or trepidation, lay calmly awaiting her call.
Betty Grier|Joseph Waugh
Sick, she palpitates; she compresses her trepidation; she coughs, perchance she sings a bar or two of an aria.
The Short Works of George Meredith|George Meredith
With a great deal of trepidation I approached the crossing of the Rapidan.
The Boy Spy|Joseph Kerby
British Dictionary definitions for trepidation
trepidation
/ (ˌtrɛpɪˈdeɪʃən) /
noun
a state of fear or anxiety
a condition of quaking or palpitation, esp one caused by anxiety
Word Origin for trepidation
C17: from Latin trepidātiō, from trepidāre to be in a state of alarm; compare intrepid