Pronunciation: [kwˈe͡ɪkɪŋ] (IPA) 
The word 'quaking' is spelled with the letter combination 'qu' which is pronounced as /kw/. This is because in English, the letter 'q' is almost always followed by 'u'. The 'a' is pronounced as /eɪ/ and the 'k' as /k/. Finally, the suffix '-ing' is added to form the present participle of the word 'quake'. Quaking is defined as the action of shaking or trembling with fear or cold.
Quaking, as a verb, refers to the act of shaking or trembling involuntarily, usually due to fear, nervousness, or extreme emotional distress. It describes the physical manifestation of trembling, characterized by uncontrollable movements or vibrations of the body. Quaking can be a natural physiological response to intense emotions or stressful situations, causing an individual's muscles to rapidly contract and relax.
The term "quaking" can also be used metaphorically to describe a state of extreme vulnerability or instability. In this sense, it signifies a feeling of great apprehension or fear that shakes a person to their core. It can be applied to describe both literal and figurative scenarios, such as the quaking of the earth during an earthquake or the quaking of one's voice when speaking in public.
Furthermore, quaking can also refer to the action or sound produced by trembling or vibrating objects. For example, it can depict the trembling of leaves in the wind or the shaking of a building during a strong gust of wind or an explosion.
Overall, "quaking" is a term that conveys a sense of shaking or trembling, whether in a physical or metaphorical sense. It captures the involuntary nature of the tremors, which arise as a result of fear, anxiety, or vulnerability.
• Trepidation.
• Trembling, shaking.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "quaking" is derived from the verb "quake", which itself comes from Middle English "quaken" or "quakenen". The Middle English term is traced back to the Old English word "cwacian", meaning "to tremble" or "to shake". Ultimately, "quaking" can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "kwakōną", which carried a similar meaning.
