trepidation
trep-ih-DAY-shunnounMeaning nervous fear about something that is about to happen
Memory hook TREP-idation: TREMBLING before. Before his solo, Kai’s knees knock and his bow shakes. That trembling fear of what is about to happen is trepidation.
With some trepidation, Kai stepped onto the stage for his first violin solo.
In context The villagers watched the rising river with trepidation, knowing that one more night of rain could flood every street in town.
Similar dread, apprehension, fear, alarm
Opposite calm, confidence, composure
From Latin trepidatio, “alarm, trembling,” from trepidare, “to tremble.”