shudder Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun an almost pleasurable sensation of fright
    frisson; quiver; thrill; shiver; tingle; chill.
    • a frisson of surprise shot through him
  2. noun an involuntary vibration (as if from illness or fear)
    tremor.
  3. verb shake, as from cold
    shiver.
    • The children are shivering--turn on the heat!
  4. verb tremble convulsively, as from fear or excitement
    throb; shiver; thrill.

WordNet

Shud"der intransitive verb
Etymology
OE. shoderen, schuderen; akin to LG. schuddern, D. schudden to shake, OS. skuddian, G. schaudern to shudder, schütteln to shake, schütten to pour, to shed, OHG. scutten, scuten, to shake.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Shuddered ;present participle & verbal noun Shuddering
Definitions
  1. To tremble or shake with fear, horrer, or aversion; to shiver with cold; to quake. "With shuddering horror pale." Milton.
    The shuddering tennant of the frigid zone. Goldsmith.
Shud"der noun
Definitions
  1. The act of shuddering, as with fear. Shak.

Webster 1913