fearful and watchful; apprehensive
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesverb/adjective
to be fearful and alert; to be apprehensive
literaryA formal, literary compound word composed of two characters with similar meanings (怵: to fear; 惕: to be vigilant). It describes a state of nervous watchfulness or anxiety. Often used in classical or formal writing.
Shēn身
chǔ处
xiǎn险
jìng境
，
tā他
zhōng终
rì日
chù怵
tì惕
bù不
níng宁
。
Being in a dangerous situation, he was apprehensive and restless all day long.
Miàn面
duì对
wèi未
zhī知
de的
wèi未
lái来
，
tā他
xīn心
zhōng中
chōng充
mǎn满
le了
chù怵
tì惕
zhī之
gǎn感
。
Facing the unknown future, his heart was filled with a sense of apprehension.
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（
gǔ古
lì例
）
jūn君
zǐ子
zhōng终
rì日
qián乾
qián乾
，
xī夕
tì惕
ruò若
lì厉
，
wú无
jiù咎
。
（
《
Zhōu周
yì易
》
）
(Ancient example) The superior man is active and vigilant all day, and in the evening still careful and apprehensive. (The danger is) no blame. (The Book of Changes)