vibrate
UK: vaɪˈbreɪt | US: ˈvaɪ.breɪt
vi. to move rapidly back and forth
vt. to cause something to shake or oscillate
n. (rare) an instance of vibrating
vibrate = vibr<to shake> + ate<verb suffix>
- vibr (from Latin vibrare "to shake, brandish")
- ate (a verb-forming suffix in Latin-derived words, indicating action)
Etymology Origin:
The word "vibrate" traces back to Latin vibrare, meaning "to shake rapidly," often used to describe the flickering of flames or the quivering of plucked strings. The core idea of rapid, repeated motion persists in modern usage, whether describing physical oscillations (e.g., a phone vibrating) or abstract waves (e.g., sound vibrations). The suffix -ate standardizes it as a verb in English.
The guitar string began to vibrate when plucked.
Your phone will vibrate silently in meeting mode.
Atoms vibrate faster at higher temperatures.
The hummingbird’s wings vibrate too quickly to see.
The earthquake made the entire building vibrate.