ppl. a. [f. VIBRATE v.]
1. Of, or characterized by, vibration; causing vibration; vibratory.
1685. Boyle, Effects Motion, ix. 108. That a vibrating motion is thereby produced, may be argued by the dancing of the water.
1710. J. Harris, Lex. Techn., II. Vibrating-Motion, is a very quick and short Motion of the solid Paris of Bodies, caused by the Pulse or Stroke of some Body upon them.
1763. Phil. Trans., LV. 105. This weight supported him in a vibrating state.
1782. A. Monro, Compar. Anat. (ed. 3), 252. The vibrating force of arteries.
1828. J. M. Spearman, Brit. Gunner (ed. 2), 313. The angular velocities of the vibrating system.
2. That vibrates; having a vibratory motion; oscillating.
17[?]. Ramsay, Ep. to Friend at Florence, 33. The vib’rating harmonious strings, And breathing tubes, which the soft eunuch sings.
1743. Emerson, Fluxions, 230. The Center of Oscillation is the point in the Axis of a vibrating Body [etc.].
1834. Mrs. Somerville, Connex. Phys. Sci., xviii. 154. Suppose a vibrating string to give the lowest C of the pianoforte.
1860. Tyndall, Glac., II. i. 225. The little songster’s organ of voice … is a vibrating instrument, resembling … the reed of a clarionet.
1879. Stainer, Music of Bible, 149. A sistrum, either with three rings on each bar, or with three vibrating bars.
b. Of machines or their parts, implements, etc.
1831–3. Encycl. Metrop. (1845), VIII. 188/1. Vibrating engine…. It may be worked either by high or low pressure steam, or by means of a vacuum.
1837. Hebert, Engin. & Mech. Encycl., II. 711. The vibrating lever, called the tumbling-bob.
1842. Francis, Dict. Arts, s.v., [In the] Vibrating Steam Engine,… the steam cylinder vibrates upon two hollow gudgeons.
1875. Knight, Dict. Mech., 2709/2. Vibrating-propeller…. Vibrating-roller.
1878. Prescott, Sp. Telephone (1879), 36. In the latest form of transmitter … the vibrating diaphragm is done away with altogether.
c. Of insects, etc.: Having vibratile antennæ or cilia. rare.
1870. trans. Pouchet’s Universe, III. iii. 163. Some ichneumons, or vibrating flics, are much more rapacious and bold.
3. Of sound: Vibrant.
1849. G. P. R. James, Woodman, ix. The swinging of the great bell, as it continued to pour forth its loud vibrating call for assistance.
1898. Allbutt’s Syst. Med., V. 754. In different cases it [i.e., a pericardial friction-fremitus] is described as harsh and grating, rasping, vibrating, or creaking.
Hence Vibratingly adv.
1835. New Monthly Mag., XLIV. 280. A note to which all the tender sympathies of Miss Fanny vibratingly responded.
