1. Physical Shaking: This is the most common meaning. It describes involuntary shaking or trembling of the body, usually caused by:
* Fear or anxiety: Your body reacts to stress by shaking.
* Cold: Your muscles contract to conserve heat, which can cause tremors.
* Excitement or anticipation: You might get shaky from adrenaline.
* Medical conditions: Certain illnesses or neurological disorders can cause tremors.
2. Feeling Fear or Anxiety: "Tremble" can also describe the feeling of fear or anxiety itself:
* "My heart trembled at the thought of facing them." This means the speaker was scared to face the situation.
* "The news of the earthquake sent a tremor through the community." This refers to the collective fear felt by the community.
3. Shake or Vibrate: In some cases, "tremble" can mean to shake or vibrate:
* "The ground trembled as the earthquake hit." The ground literally shook.
* "The building trembled with the loud noise." The building vibrated.
Examples:
* "My hands trembled as I held the microphone." (Physical shaking due to nervousness)
* "The thought of losing my job sent a tremor through me." (Feeling of fear)
* "The old house trembled with the wind." (Vibrating due to external force)
The best way to understand the meaning of "tremble" is to consider the context in which it is used.