Word Study
shudder
CIDE DICTIONARY
shudder, v. i. [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.].
To tremble or shake with fear, horrer, or aversion; to shiver with cold; to quake. Milton. [1913 Webster]
"The shuddering tennant of the frigid zone." [1913 Webster]
shudder, n.
The act of shuddering, as with fear. Shak. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
shudder, v. & n.
--v.intr.
1 shiver esp. convulsively from fear, cold, repugnance, etc.
2 feel strong repugnance etc. (shudder to think what might happen).
3 (of a machine etc.) vibrate or quiver.
--n.
1 the act or an instance of shuddering.
2 (in pl.; prec. by the) colloq. a state of shuddering.
--v.intr.
1 shiver esp. convulsively from fear, cold, repugnance, etc.
2 feel strong repugnance etc. (shudder to think what might happen).
3 (of a machine etc.) vibrate or quiver.
--n.
1 the act or an instance of shuddering.
2 (in pl.; prec. by the) colloq. a state of shuddering.
Derivative
shudderingly adv. shuddery adj.
Etymology
ME shod(d)er f. MDu. schuderen, MLG schoderen f. Gmc
THESAURUS
shudder
bang, be cold, bob, bobble, boot, bounce, bump, charge, chatter, chill, convulse, convulsion, didder, disquiet, disquietude, dither, dithers, falter, fidgetiness, fidgets, flush, flutter, freeze, freeze to death, grimace, grow cold, gyrate, have a chill, have an ague, have goose pimples, heaving, horripilate, hustle, inquietude, jactitate, jar, jerk, jig, jigget, jiggle, jog, joggle, jollies, jolt, jostle, jounce, jump, kick, lift, lose heat, palpitation, panting, paroxysm, perish with cold, pitapat, pitter-patter, quake, quaking, quaver, quavering, quiver, quivering, rattle, restlessness, rictus, rush, rush of emotion, sensation, shake, shakes, shaking, shimmy, shiver, shivers, shock, spasm, surge of emotion, thrill, throb, throbbing, tic, tingle, tingling, titillation, tremble, trembling, tremor, tremor of excitement, trepidation, trepidity, twitch, twitter, unrest, vibrate, vibration, wobbleROGET THESAURUS
shudder
Fear
VB fear, stand in awe of, be afraid, have qualms, apprehend, sit upon thorns, eye askance, distrust, hesitate, falter, funk, cower, crouch, skulk, let 'I dare not' wait upon 'I would' take fright, take alarm, start, wince, flinch, shy, shrink, fly, tremble, shake, shiver, shiver in one's shoes, shudder, flutter, shake like an aspen leaf, tremble like an aspen leaf, tremble all over, quake, quaver, quiver, quail, grow pale, turn pale, blench, stand aghast, not dare to say one's soul is one's own, inspire fear, excite fear, inspire awe, excite awe, raise apprehensions, be in a daze, bulldoze, faze, feeze, give an alarm, raise an alarm, sound an alarm, alarm, startle, scare, cry 'wolf', disquiet, dismay, fright, frighten, terrify, astound, fright from one's propriety, fright out of one's senses, fright out of one's wits, fright out of one's seven senses, awe, strike all of a heap, strike an awe into, strike terror, harrow up the soul, appall, unman, petrify, horrify, pile on the agony, make one's flesh creep, make one's hair stand on end, make one's blood run cold, make one's teeth chatter, take away one's breath, stop one's breath, make one tremble, haunt, prey on the mind, weigh on the mind, put in fear, put in bodily fear, terrorize, intimidate, cow, daunt, overawe, abash, deter, discourage, browbeat, bully, threaten.Cold
VB be cold, shiver, starve, quake, shake, tremble, shudder, didder, quiver, freeze, freeze to death, perish with cold, freeze, horripilate, make the skin crawl, give one goose flesh.For further exploring for "shudder" in Webster Dictionary Online