(a) To shudder or tremble in response to a strong emotion, esp. fear; also fig.; (b) ~ for, to tremble for (fear, anger, etc.); also fig.; (c) with inf.: to tremble with fear (at doing sth.), hesitate (to do sth.); also, be anxious (to do sth.) [quot. a1460]; (d) to cause (sb., someone's heart) to tremble; ppl. tremblinge as noun, in phrase: tremblinge min wordes, the ones who fear my words; (e) ppl. tremblinge as adj., of the day of judgment: fearsome, terrifying; of reverence: awestruck; (f) in stock simile.

(a) Of the heart, blood: to throb with strong emotion, pound; of bones, flesh: shudder; of hands, lips: quiver; ~ for, quiver on account of (pain, a sound); ppl. tremblinge as adj.: throbbing; quivering; (b) in stock simile.

(a) To shiver for such physical causes as cold or illness; (b) to undergo spasmodic contractions; of the heart: palpitate; tremblinge cardiacle, a heart ailment characterized by arrhythmia; (c) to be or become tremulous or unsteady; shake as with age or weakness; ppl. tremblinge, shaking, unsteady; also, of the eyes [quot. a1500(a1450)]: ?twitching; ?blinking; (d) ?to display rippling muscles; ?move in spirited agitation.

(a) To quake violently, esp. because of seismic instability [some exx. may be fig. uses of sense 1a.(a)]; also, vibrate in response to a thunderous noise or a touch; (b) fig. to be unstable; ppl. tremblinge as adj.: uncertain; (c) of a pen: to wobble; ppl. tremblinge as adj.: wobbling; (d) ppl. tremblinge as adj.: ?irregular in outline; ?wavering.