quaver
Americanverb (used without object)
-
to shake tremulously; quiver or tremble.
He stood there quavering with fear.
-
to sound, speak, or sing tremulously.
Her voice quavered a moment and then she regained control.
-
to perform trills in singing or on a musical instrument.
verb (used with object)
noun
-
a quavering or tremulous shake, especially in the voice.
-
a quavering tone or utterance.
-
Music (chiefly British). an eighth note.
verb
-
to say or sing (something) with a trembling voice
-
(intr) (esp of the voice) to quiver, tremble, or shake
-
rare (intr) to sing or play quavers or ornamental trills
noun
-
Usual US and Canadian name: eighth note. music a note having the time value of an eighth of a semibreve
-
a tremulous sound or note
Other Word Forms
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."
Vocabulary lists containing quaver
Instead of "Said": Words That Sound Like What They Mean
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
List 7
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The Call of the Wild
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Where Mr. Quaver blared like a trumpet, Paul sang in clear, melodious notes; and where Miss Gamut broke down, Azalia glided so smoothly and sweetly that every heart was thrilled.
From Winning His Way by Coffin, Charles Carleton
Miss Quaver, with her staccato notes and semi-professional minauderies, is not exactly a queen of song.
From Modern Women and What is Said of Them A Reprint of A Series of Articles in the Saturday Review (1868) by Calhoun, Lucia Gilbert
"I have nothing to do about it; you may sit anywhere, and sing when you are a mind to, or hold your tongues," said Mr. Quaver, sharply.
From Winning His Way by Coffin, Charles Carleton
Quaver and croon it both night and day!
From The Feast at Solhoug by Archer, William
Mr. Quaver nudged her to try another verse, but she shook her head.
From Winning His Way by Coffin, Charles Carleton
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
