It quivers, similar to a swan (5)
I believe the answer is:
aspen
'it quivers' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.
'similar to a swan' is the wordplay.
'similar to' becomes 'as'.
'a swan' becomes 'pen' (pen is a kind of swan).
'as'+'pen'='ASPEN'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for aspen that I've seen before include "somewhere in Colorado" , "Its leaves flutter in the slightest breeze" , "Panes (anag.)" , "Colorado winter sports town" , "One trembling" .)