otion; a _vibrating_ motion may be tremulous or _jarring_.
The pendulum of a clock may be said to _swing_, _vibrate_, or
_oscillate_; a steel bridge _vibrates_ under the passage of a heavy
train; the term _vibrate_ is also applied to molecular movements.
_Jolting_ is a lifting from and letting down suddenly upon an unyielding
surface; as, a carriage _jolts_ over a rough road. A _jarring_ motion is
abruptly and very rapidly repeated through an exceedingly limited space;
the _jolting_ of the carriage _jars_ the windows. _Rattling_ refers
directly to the sound produced by _shaking_. To _joggle_ is to _shake_
slightly; as, a passing touch _joggles_ the desk on which one is
writing. A thing _trembles_ that _shakes_ perceptibly and with an
appearance of uncertainty and instability, as a person under the
influence of fear; a thing _shivers_ when all its particles are stirred
with a slight but pervading tremulous motion, as a human body under the
influence of cold; _shuddering_ is a more pronounced movement of a
similar kind, in human beings often the effect of emotional or moral
recoil; hence, the word is applied by extension to such feelings even
when they have no such outward manifestation; as, one says, "I _shudder_
at the thought." To _quiver_ is to have slight and often spasmodic
contractile motions, as the flesh under the surgeon's knife. _Thrill_ is
applied to a pervasive movement felt rather than seen; as, the nerves
_thrill_ with delight; _quiver_ is similarly used, but suggests somewhat
more of outward manifestation. To _agitate_ in its literal use is nearly
the same as to _shake_, tho we speak of the sea as _agitated_ when we
could not say it is _shaken_; the Latin _agitate_ is preferred in
scientific or technical use to the Saxon _shake_, and especially as
applied to the action of mechanical contrivances; in the metaphorical
use _agitate_ is more transitory and superficial, _shake_ more
fundamental and enduring; a person's feelings are _agitated_ by
distressing news; his courage, his faith, his credit, or his testimony
is _shaken_. _Sway_ applies to the movement of a body suspended from
above or not firmly sustained from below, and the motion of which is
less pronounced than _swinging_, smoother than _vibrating_, and not
necessarily constant as _oscillating_; as, the _swaying_ of a reed in
the wind. _Sway_ used transitively especially applies to motions of
grace or dignity; _brandish_ denotes a threatening or hostile