Pronunciation: [ʃˈʌdəd at] (IPA) 
The word "shuddered at" is spelled with a "sh" sound followed by the "uh" vowel and the "d" sound, then the "er" vowel and the "d" sound again. The "a" sound is pronounced as a schwa sound, which is why it is represented with the "@" symbol in IPA phonetic transcription. The IPA transcription for "shuddered at" is /ˈʃʌdərd æt/. This phrase means to experience a sudden vibration or trembling, often due to fear or discomfort.
"Shuddered at" is a phrase used to describe the involuntary reaction of a person experiencing fear, disgust, or intense discomfort towards something. It refers to a physical response characterized by trembling, trembling, or quivering, often accompanied by a feeling of unease or revulsion that can be visually observed.
When someone "shudders at" something, it implies that they had a strong emotional or visceral reaction to a particular stimulus. This reaction might manifest as a quick, shaking movement of the body, often due to the sudden exposure to something unpleasant, eerie, horrific, or distressing. The shudder may be temporary or prolonged, depending on the intensity of the individual's response and the duration of exposure to the triggering stimuli.
People may "shudder at" a variety of situations, including witnessing a disturbing event, hearing a terrifying story, encountering a creepy creature, being reminded of a deeply unsettling memory, or even thinking about something revolting or dreadful. It is a natural physiological response that occurs subconsciously, reflecting the strong aversion or discomfort the person feels toward the perceived threat or unpleasantness.
Overall, "shuddered at" is an idiom used to describe an instinctive physical reaction to an external stimulus that elicits fear, horror, disgust, or extreme unease. It conveys a vivid image of a person involuntarily trembling or quivering due to the intensity of their emotional response.
The etymology of the word "shuddered at" can be traced back to its individual components.
The word "shudder" originated from the Middle English word "shodderen" or "shodren", which was derived from the Old English word "scūderian". This Old English term was related to the noun "scūd", meaning a sudden violent gust of wind. Over time, "shudder" evolved to describe the bodily reaction to fear, cold, or disgust, involving trembling or shaking.
The preposition "at" is a native English word with various meanings, including indicating a point or a time, expressing an aim or purpose, or indicating the object of an emotion or an action. In the case of "shuddered at", it signifies the cause or stimulus that elicits the shuddering reaction.
