I. ˈkwāk verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English quaken, from Old English cwacian; akin to Old English cweccan to shake, vibrate
intransitive verb
1.
a. : to shake, vibrate, or tremble usually from shock or convulsion
boughs that quakeed at every breath — Sir Walter Scott
ample bosom quaked mirthfully — Gerald Beaumont
the earth quaked as if it had been struck a fantastic blow — Robert O'Brien
b. : to shake or shiver from the cold or other physical cause
quake in the present winter's state, and wish that warmer days would come — Shakespeare
with legs quaking — E.K.Kane
2. : to tremble or shudder inwardly often in anticipation of difficulty or danger : quail
my heart did never quake , or courage faint — Christopher Marlowe
it was a bold thing to say, and I quaked — Winston Churchill
transitive verb
obsolete : to cause to quake
humble and quake us for our sins — Henry Greenwood
II. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from quaken, v.
1. : an instance of shaking or trembling : a tremulous agitation or convulsion
2. : something that causes quaking ; especially : earthquake