1. v. & n.
--v.intr.
1. tremble with cold, fear, etc.
2 suffer a quick trembling movement of the body; shudder.
--n.
1. a momentary shivering movement.
2 (in pl.) an attack of shivering, esp. from fear or horror (got the shivers in the dark).
Derivatives:
shiverer n. shiveringly adv. shivery adj.
Etymology: ME chivere, perh. f. chavele chatter (as JOWL(1)) 2. n. & v.
--n. (esp. in pl.) each of the small pieces into which esp. glass is shattered when broken; a splinter.
--v.tr. & intr. break into shivers.
Phrases and idioms:
shiver my timbers a reputed piratical curse.
Etymology: ME scifre, rel. to OHG scivaro splinter f. Gmc