quake

Definition

A trembling or shaking.

Etymology

From Middle English quaken, from Old English cwacian (“to quake, tremble, chatter”), from Proto-Germanic *kwakōną (“to shake, quiver, tremble”), itself likely of imitative origin. Related to Old English cweċċan (“to shake, swing, move, vibrate, shake off, give up”) (see quitch), Dutch kwakkelen (“to ail, be ailing”), German Quackelei (“chattering”), Danish kvakle (“to bungle”), Latin vexō (“toss, shake violently, jostle, vex”), Irish bogadh (“a move, movement, shift, change”).

Example Sentences

• "We felt a quake in the apartment every time the train went by."
• "California is plagued by quakes; there are a few minor ones almost every month."
• "Well, everybody talks about the California quakes But the first time I ever felt the earth shake Was in Miami, when Amy touched me."