quake

Everyday

1. A quake is a short word for an earthquake, when the ground suddenly shakes because rocks deep under it move. tree →
2. To quake is to shake or tremble, often because you are very scared or very cold. tree →
3. To quake can also mean that something big shakes, like the ground or a building. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons about the Earth, a quake is caused by moving plates under the ground; safety lessons teach «drop, cover and hold on». In stories «quake with fear» or «quake in your boots» tells the reader a character is terrified. Phrases: «quake with fear», «quake in your boots», «a strong quake».

Examples

• The quake shook the plates off the shelf. tree →
• New Zealand has many small quakes every year. tree →
• During a quake, get under a strong table and hold on. tree →
• The little mouse quaked when the cat walked past. tree →
• He was quaking in his boots before the spelling test. tree →
• The ground quaked as the huge truck rolled by. tree →
• Scientists measure how strong a quake is. tree →
• After the quake, the family checked the house for damage. tree →
• He quaked all over as he told his story. tree →

Note

As a noun it is countable: a quake, two quakes. Past form: quaked. «Quake» is informal for «earthquake»; in writing a full report, «earthquake» is clearer. Do not mix it up with «quack», the sound a duck makes.

In Jewish tradition

At Sinai the whole mountain shook when God came down, and the people trembled. In the Prophets and Psalms the earth quakes before God, and people quake with fear.

Interpretation. The tradition reads the shaking of the mountain as a sign of God's awesome presence at the giving of the Torah. The Psalms call on the earth to quake because God reigns, and Ezekiel's quaking over bread pictures the fear of a besieged people.

Examples

• Now mount Sinai was altogether on smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire; and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly. (Torah EXO.19.18, JPS 1917) tree →
• For three things the earth doth quake, and for four it cannot endure: (Writings PRO.30.21, JPS 1917) tree →
• The LORD reigneth; let the peoples tremble; He is enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake. (Writings PSA.99.1, JPS 1917) tree →
• 'Son of man, eat thy bread with quaking, and drink thy water with trembling and with anxiety; (Prophets EZK.12.18, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

As a noun it is countable: a quake, two quakes. Past form: quaked. «Quake» is informal for «earthquake»; in writing a full report, «earthquake» is clearer. Do not mix it up with «quack», the sound a duck makes.