Word: shivering (verb)

Associations

Shivering refers to the act of shaking or trembling, usually because of cold, fear, or excitement. It often happens when someone feels very cold or is scared.

• Example 1: "When I stepped outside into the winter air, I started shivering." (This shows shivering due to cold.)
• Example 2: "She was shivering with fear during the scary movie." (This shows shivering due to fear.)
• Example 3: "He felt shivering excitement when he heard he won the prize." (This shows shivering due to excitement.)

A well-known synonym for shivering is "trembling." The main difference is that "trembling" can also refer to shaking due to strong emotions, while "shivering" is more commonly associated with cold temperatures.

Substitution

Instead of "shivering," you could use:

• "trembling" – which can imply a wider range of emotions, not just cold.
• "quivering" – which often suggests a slight, rapid shaking, often due to fear or nervousness.
• "shaking" – which is a more general term that can refer to any unsteady movement.

Deconstruction

The word "shivering" comes from the root "shiver," which means to shake slightly. The suffix "-ing" indicates that it is a continuous action. Historically, "shiver" is thought to be related to Old English "cifrian," which means to tremble.

Inquiry

• When was the last time you felt shivering? What caused it?
• Can you think of a time when you felt excited and shivering? What was happening?
• How do you think shivering might look different in various situations, like being cold versus being scared?