earthquakenounmasculine/tɛʁɐˈmɔtu/mediumter·ra·mo·toPortuguesEnglishEspanolFrancaisDefinitionA sudden shaking of the ground caused by the movement of tectonic plates.The Lisbon earthquake of 1755 was devastating.Scientists study earthquakes to predict disasters.synquaketremorEtymologyDo latim 'terra' + 'motus'.Related wordsterremototerramotado