Category:Trepidation

Trep`i*da"tion, n. Etym: [f. trépidation, l. trepidatio, fr. Trepidare to hurry with alarm, to tremble, from trepidus agitated, Disturbed, alarmed; cf. trepit he turns, gr. torture.]

1. An involuntary trembling, sometimes an effect of paralysis, but Usually caused by terror or fear; quaking; quivering.

2. Hence, a state of terror or alarm; fear; confusion; fright; as, The men were in great trepidation.

3. (anc. Astron.)

Defn: a libration of the starry sphere in the ptolemaic system; a Motion ascribed to the firmament, to account for certain small Changes in the position of the ecliptic and of the stars.

Syn. -- tremor; agitation; disturbance; fear.