![]() Sway used transitively especially applies to motions of grace or dignity brandish denotes a threatening or hostile motion a monarch sways the scepter the ruffian brandishes a club. 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. 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. 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. 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. To joggle is to shake slightly as, a passing touch joggles the desk on which one is writing. Rattling refers directly to the sound produced by shaking. A jarring motion is abruptly and very rapidly repeated through an exceedingly limited space the jolting of the carriage jars the windows. Jolting is a lifting from and letting down suddenly upon an unyielding surface as, a carriage jolts over a rough road. 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. A thing rocks that is sustained from below it swings if suspended from above, as a pendulum, or pivoted at the side, as a crane or a bridge-draw to oscillate is to swing with a smooth and regular returning motion a vibrating motion may be tremulous or jarring. A tree is " shaken with a mighty wind " a man slowly shakes his head. A thing is shaken which is subjected to short and abruptly checked movements, as forward and backward, up and down, from side to side, etc. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |