quaver

American  

[kwey-ver] / ˈkweɪ vər /

verb (used without object)

1. to shake tremulously; quiver or tremble.

   He stood there quavering with fear.

2. to sound, speak, or sing tremulously.

   Her voice quavered a moment and then she regained control.

3. to perform trills in singing or on a musical instrument.

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verb (used with object)

1. to utter, say, or sing with a quavering or tremulous voice.

noun

1. a quavering or tremulous shake, especially in the voice.

2. a quavering tone or utterance.

3. Music (chiefly British). an eighth note.

quaver British  

/ ˈkweɪvə /

verb

1. to say or sing (something) with a trembling voice

2. (intr) (esp of the voice) to quiver, tremble, or shake

3. rare (intr) to sing or play quavers or ornamental trills

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noun

1. Usual US and Canadian name: eighth note.  music a note having the time value of an eighth of a semibreve

2. a tremulous sound or note

Other Word Forms

• quaverer noun
• quavering adjective
• quaveringly adverb
• quaverous adjective
• quavery adjective
• unquavering adjective

Etymology

Origin of quaver

1400–50; late Middle English quaveren (v.), blend of quake and waver ¹

Explanation

A quaver is a trembling or shaking sound, especially in a person's voice. When you give your first speech in front of a crowd, don't be surprised to hear a quaver in your voice. The nervous or emotional tremor in a person's speaking voice is one kind of quaver. It's also a primarily British term for an eighth note in music. To quaver can mean both to speak in a trembling voice, or to sing in a similar way, with a little warble or trill. The fifteenth century meaning of quaver is "to tremble or vibrate," and it's related to the earlier cwavien, "to shake," from the Low German word quabbeln, "tremble."

Example Sentences

“The dishwashing scene,” he said, with a tiny quaver in his voice, and that was it.

From New York Times • Mar. 17, 2022

There was a quaver in his voice, which defined the depth of his emotion.

From Scientific American • Dec. 23, 2021

It’s where Alana first says “You’re sweet, Gary,” a line Haim delivers with a lovely little quaver, as if a mask were falling away.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 15, 2021

Tears sprang to my eyes again, lending a quaver to my voice.

From Slate • Aug. 24, 2019

Perhaps brooms, like horses, could tell when you were afraid, thought Harry; there was a quaver in Neville’s voice that said only too clearly that he wanted to keep his feet on the ground.

From "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" by J.K. Rowling