Tressaillir (en. To shudder)

/tʁɛ.s.a.jiʁ/

Meaning & Definition

EnglishFrench

verb

To startle or react sharply to an emotion, noise, or sensation.

She jumped at the sudden noise behind her.

Elle a tressailli en entendant le bruit soudain derrière elle.

To be affected by a strong emotion, usually related to fear or excitement.

He flinched when he discovered the surprise prepared by his friends.

Il tressaillit en découvrant la surprise préparée par ses amis.

To have an involuntary contraction movement, often related to a reflex reaction.

The cat jumped when it saw the snake approaching.

Le chat tressaillit lorsqu'il vit le serpent approcher.

From Old French 'tressallir', derived from Latin 'transsalire', meaning 'to jump beyond'.

to tremble with joy

To be overwhelmed by great joy.

tressaillir de joie

to tremble with anguish

To feel intense fear.

tressaillir d'angoisse

startle

Sudden movement caused by surprise or fear.

sursaut

shiver

Sensation of cold or fright accompanied by muscle contraction.

frisson

trembling

Involuntary oscillation movement.

tremblement

vibration

Quick and regular movement.

vibration

To tremble with laughter

He flinched with laughter upon hearing the joke.

Il a tressailli de rire en entendant la blague.

To tremble with fear

She jumped in fear when watching the horror movie.

Elle a tressailli de peur en voyant le film d'horreur.