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trep·i·da·tion

(trĕp′ĭ-dāshən)

1. A state of alarm or dread; apprehension. See Synonyms at fear.

2. Archaic An involuntary trembling or quivering.

[Latin trepidātiō, trepidātiōn-, from trepidātus, past participle of trepidāre, to be in a state of confusion, from trepidus, anxious.]

trep′i·datious (-shəs) adj.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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