trepidatory

Definitions

1. 1

   That trepidates, or that causes trepidations.

   • Unfortunately, like Guthrie he has never given a formal statement of his principles, and it is therefore up to the reader to ferret out these things for himself — always a trepidatory procedure.
   • Russell took his usual chair and the usual trepidatory sip, and was pleasantly surprised.
2. 2

   Of an earthquake, having a vertical, up-and-down motion, as opposed to a horizontal,…

   Of an earthquake, having a vertical, up-and-down motion, as opposed to a horizontal, side-to-side motion.

   • This [earthquake] was felt at Mexico at precisely the same hour, lasting there about one minute and a half, the motion there being undulatory, but at Acapulco trepidatory.
   • The most severe shock lasted for 70 seconds, and combined oscillatory, trepidatory, and rotatory movement.
   • The particular trepidatory and oscillatory patterns arising from the lake bed especially afflicted high-rise buildings between six and fifteen stories.

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