EARTH'QUAKE, noun A shaking, trembling or concussion of the earth; sometimes a slight tremor; at other times a violent shaking or convulsion; at other times a rocking or heaving of the earth. Earthquakes are usually preceded by a rattling sound in the air, or by a subterraneous rumbling noise. Hence the name, earthdin, formerly given to an earthquake
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI