Trembling or shaking violently, usually from cold, fear, or disgust; moving with quick, jerky motions.
From Middle Dutch 'schudden' meaning to shake or shiver. The word came through Germanic languages and is related to 'shatter.' Originally it described physical shaking from cold.
When you shudder, your body is involuntarily contracting muscles to generate heat—it's an ancient survival mechanism that mammals use in cold, and it's so powerful that ten shudders can warm you up as much as exercise!
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