Definitions for: Shiver


[n] reflex shaking caused by cold or fear or excitement
[n] an almost pleasurable sensation of fright; "a frisson of surprise shot through him"
[v] shake, as from cold or fear
[v] tremble convulsively



Webster (1913) Definition: Shiv"er, n. [OE. schivere, fr. shive; cf. G. schifer a
splinter, slate, OHG. scivere a splinter, Dan. & Sw. skifer a
slate. See Shive, and cf. Skever.]
1. One of the small pieces, or splinters, into which a
brittle thing is broken by sudden violence; -- generally
used in the plural. ``All to shivers dashed.'' --Milton.

2. A thin slice; a shive. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.] ``A shiver of
their own loaf.'' --Fuller.

Of your soft bread, not but a shiver. --Chaucer.

3. (Geol.) A variety of blue slate.

4. (Naut.) A sheave or small wheel in a pulley.

5. A small wedge, as for fastening the bolt of a window
shutter.

6. A spindle. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]


Shiv"er, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Shivered; p. pr. & vb.
n. Shivering.] [OE. schiveren, scheveren; cf. OD.
scheveren. See Shiver a fragment.]
To break into many small pieces, or splinters; to shatter; to
dash to pieces by a blow; as, to shiver a glass goblet.

All the ground With shivered armor strown. --Milton.


Shiv"er, v. i.
To separate suddenly into many small pieces or parts; to be
shattered.

There shiver shafts upon shields thick. --Chaucer

The natural world, should gravity once cease, . . .
would instantly shiver into millions of atoms.
--Woodward.


Shiv"er, v. i. [OE. chiveren, cheveren; of uncertain
origin. This word seems to have been confused with shiver to
shatter.]
To tremble; to vibrate; to quiver; to shake, as from cold or
fear.

Prometheus is laid On icy Caucasus to shiver. --Swift.

The man that shivered on the brink of sin, Thus steeled
and hardened, ventures boldly in. --Creech.


Shiv"er, v. t. (Naut.)
To cause to shake or tremble, as a sail, by steering close to
the wind.


Shiv"er, n.
The act of shivering or trembling.

Synonyms: chill, dither, frisson, quiver, shake, shudder, shudder, shudder, thrill, thrill, throb, tingle, tremble

See Also: fear, fearfulness, fright, inborn reflex, innate reflex, instinctive reflex, move involuntarily, move reflexively, physiological reaction, reflex, tremble, unconditioned reflex

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