Shiv"er (?), n. [OE. schivere, fr. shive; cf. G. schifer a splinter, slate, OHG. scivere a splinter, Dan. & Sw. skifer a slate. See Shive, and cf. Skever.]
1.
One of the small pieces, or splinters, into which a brittle thing is broken by sudden violence; -- generally used in the plural.
"All to
shivers dashed."
Milton.
2.
A thin slice; a shive.
[Obs. or Prov. Eng.] "A
shiver of their own loaf."
Fuller.
Of your soft bread, not but a shiver.
Chaucer.
3. Geol.
A variety of blue slate.
4. Naut.
A sheave or small wheel in a pulley.
5.
A small wedge, as for fastening the bolt of a window shutter.
6.
A spindle.
[Obs. or Prov. Eng.]
© Webster 1913.
Shiv"er, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Shivered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Shivering.] [OE. schiveren, scheveren; cf. OD. scheveren. See Shiver a fragment.]
To break into many small pieces, or splinters; to shatter; to dash to pieces by a blow; as, to shiver a glass goblet.
All the ground
With shivered armor strown.
Milton.
© Webster 1913.
Shiv"er, v. i.
To separate suddenly into many small pieces or parts; to be shattered.
There shiver shafts upon shields thick.
Chaucer
The natural world, should gravity once cease, . . . would instantly shiver into millions of atoms.
Woodward.
© Webster 1913.
Shiv"er, v. i. [OE. chiveren, cheveren; of uncertain origin. This word seems to have been confused with shiver to shatter.]
To tremble; to vibrate; to quiver; to shake, as from cold or fear.
Prometheus is laid
On icy Caucasus to shiver.
Swift.
The man that shivered on the brink of sin,
Thus steeled and hardened, ventures boldly in.
Creech.
© Webster 1913.
Shiv"er, v. t. Naut.
To cause to shake or tremble, as a sail, by steering close to the wind.
© Webster 1913.
Shiv"er, n.
The act of shivering or trembling.
© Webster 1913.