Earth"quake` , a. Like, or characteristic of, an earthquake; loud; startling.
The earthquake voice of victory.
Byron.
Earth"quake` (?), n.
A shaking, trembling, or concussion of the earth,
due to subterranean causes, often accompanied by a rumbling noise. The wave of shock
sometimes traverses half
a hemisphere, destroying
cities and many thousand lives; -- called also earthdin, earthquave, and earthshock.
Earthquake alarm,
a bell signal constructed to operate on the theory that a few
seconds before the occurrence of an earthquake the magnet temporarily loses its power.
Hear it pronounced