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Quake - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

A quake is a sudden, violent shaking of the ground, often caused by movements in the Earth's crust. It can also refer to trembling or shaking due to fear or cold.

quake

/kweɪk/ /kweɪk/

Definition:

A sudden shaking or trembling of the ground, often caused by seismic activity.

Synonyms:

tremor, shudder, shake, temblor

Part of Speech:

noun, verb

Antonyms:

stillness, calm

Common Collocations:

earthquake quake, quake in fear, ground quake, major quake

Derivatives:

quaking, quaker (archaic)

Usage Tips:

Use "quake" as a noun for seismic events or a verb to describe trembling from fear or cold.

Common Phrases:

quake in one's boots, earth-shaking quake

Etymology:

From Old English *cwacian*, meaning "to tremble or shake."

Examples:

  • 1. The ground began to quake during the earthquake.
  • 2. She felt her legs quake with fear before the speech.
  • 3. A minor quake rattled the dishes on the shelves.
  • 4. The old house would quake in strong winds.

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