Etymology Map
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Tremble

3 stages from Vulgar Latin to English.

Today it means to shake involuntarily

Where does the word "tremble" come from? It comes from Vulgar Latin tremulare, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
tremulare
Vulgar Latin · ancient
"to quiver"
from 'tremere', to shake, the root of 'tremor'
2
Stage 2 of 3
trembler
Old French · medieval
"to shake"
the root of 'tremor' and 'tremulous'
3
Stage 3 of 3
tremble
English · 1300s
"to shake"
'all of a tremble' dates from the 1700s
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Read the full story

Tremble’s story begins in Vulgar Latin: tremulare meant “to quiver.” From 'tremere', to shake, the root of 'tremor'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as trembler. The root of 'tremor' and 'tremulous'. It reached English by 1300s as tremble. 'all of a tremble' dates from the 1700s. Today, tremble means to shake involuntarily.