v. vi·brat·ed, vi·brat·ing, vi·brates v. intr. 1. a. To move back and forth or to and fro, especially rhythmically and rapidly: The eardrum vibrates in response to sound waves. See Synonyms at swing. b. To progress in a given direction while moving back and forth rapidly: The sound wave vibrated through the water. 2. To be in a state of great activity, excitement, or agitation: “Even as the film moved … to the more deadly fields of Vietnam, old hatreds vibrated in me” (Loudon Wainwright). 3. To produce a sound; resonate: “The noise of cars and motorcycles, voices and music vibrates from the street” (Edmundo Paz Solden). 4. To fluctuate or waver, as between states or in making choices: “The fear of repetition and the lure of repetition: these are the two poles between which the movie vibrates” (Wendy Lesser). v. tr. 1. To cause to move back and forth rapidly: The rattlesnake vibrated its tail. 2. To produce (sound) by vibration. n. A setting on a cellphone that causes the it to shake rapidly without producing a ringtone when a call or text message is received. [Latin vibrāre, vibrāt-; see weip- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] vibra·tive, vibra·to′ry (-brə-tôr′ē) adj. |
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