Category:Vibrate

Vi"brate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Vibrate; p. pr. & vb. n. Vibrating.] Etym: [l. vibratus, p. p. of vibrare, v. t. & v. i., to snake, Brandish, vibrate; akin to skr. vip to tremble, icel. veifa to wave, Vibrate. See waive and cf. Whip, v. t.]

1. To brandish; to move to and fro; to swing; as, to vibrate a sword Or a staff.

2. To mark or measure by moving to and fro; as, a pendulum vibrating Seconds.

3. To affect with vibratory motion; to set in vibration. Breath vocalized, that is, vibrated or undulated, may. . . impress a Swift, tremulous motion. Holder. Star to star vibrates light. Tennyson.

Vibrate Vi"brate, v. i.

1. To move to and fro, or from side to side, as a pendulum, an Elastic rod, or a stretched string, when disturbed from its position Of rest; to swing; to oscillate.

2. To have the constituent particles move to and fro, with alternate Compression and dilation of parts, as the air, or any elastic body; To quiver.

3. To produce an oscillating or quivering effect of sound; as, a Whisper vibrates on the ear. Pope.

4. To pass from one state to another; to waver; to fluctuate; as, a Man vibrates between two opinions.