noun
temblor
TEM-bler/ˈtemblər/
A shaking of the ground caused by an earthquake.
A sudden temblor rattles the windows and shakes the floor.
Etymology
Spanish temblor literally means “a trembling” and also denotes an earthquake. The earthquake sense applies that ordinary shaking image to the movement of the ground.
More examples
- The temblor wakes us just before dawn.
- Several small temblors shake the region overnight.
- After the temblor stops, we check the walls for cracks.
Forms
temblor · temblors
Similar words
- earthquake
- Earthquake names the event itself, not just its shaking.
- tremor
- Tremor usually suggests lighter shaking and need not involve earthquakes.