trem
Latintremble, shake (with fear or cold)
About This Root
From Latin tremere (to tremble, shake) and tremulus (quivering), joined by the cognate trepidus (alarmed, agitated) via the variant trep-. Both trace to the same PIE root *trep- 'to shake.' The family runs from literal shaking (tremble, tremor, tremulous) to fear (trepidation) to a dramatic exaggeration: tremendous, once 'so terrifying it makes you tremble,' now simply 'huge' or 'wonderful.' intrepid reverses it: in- (not) + trepidus = 'unshaken, fearless.'
Associated Words · 10
tremendous
Extremely large, powerful, or impressive
tremble
To shake involuntarily from fear or cold; a quiver or vibration
tremendously
To a very great degree; enormously
tremor
An involuntary shaking or quivering; a minor earthquake
intrepid
Fearless and brave in the face of danger
trepidation
A feeling of fear or anxiety about something uncertain
tremulous
Trembling or quivering; timid and hesitant
tremulously
In a trembling or fearful manner
trepid
Timid and fearful
trembling
Shaking uncontrollably from fear or cold