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quaver

[ kwey-ver ]
/ ˈkweɪ vər /
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See synonyms for: quaver / quavering on Thesaurus.com

verb (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)
to utter, say, or sing with a quavering or tremulous voice.
noun
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Origin of quaver

1400–50; late Middle English quaveren (v.), blend of quake and waver1

OTHER WORDS FROM quaver

qua·ver·er, nounqua·ver·ing·ly, adverbqua·ver·y, qua·ver·ous, adjectiveun·qua·ver·ing, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use quaver in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for quaver

quaver
/ (ˈkweɪvə) /

verb
to say or sing (something) with a trembling voice
(intr) (esp of the voice) to quiver, tremble, or shake
(intr) rare to sing or play quavers or ornamental trills
noun
music a note having the time value of an eighth of a semibreveUsual US and Canadian name: eighth note
a tremulous sound or note

Derived forms of quaver

quaverer, nounquavering, adjectivequaveringly, adverbquavery, adjective

Word Origin for quaver

C15 (in the sense: to vibrate, quiver 1): from quaven to tremble, of Germanic origin; compare Low German quabbeln to tremble
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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