quaver

[ kwey-ver ]

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.

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

/ 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

noun

1. music a note having the time value of an eighth of a semibreve Usual US and Canadian nameeighth note
2. a tremulous sound or note

Derived Forms

• ˈquavering, adjective
• ˈquaverer, noun
• ˈquavery, adjective
• ˈquaveringly, adverb

Other Words From

• quaver·er noun
• quaver·ing·ly adverb
• quaver·y quaver·ous adjective
• un·quaver·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of quaver¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of quaver¹

C15 (in the sense: to vibrate, quiver ¹): from quaven to tremble, of Germanic origin; compare Low German quabbeln to tremble

Example Sentences

There were lines in her face that Davy had never seen, a near quaver in her voice that he had never heard.

From Project Gutenberg

She stopped, for fear of breaking into a quaver, and smiled brightly.

From Project Gutenberg

“I reckon I had to do it, old man,” he said, a quaver in his voice.

From Project Gutenberg

“What I want to know is whether I can serve you—now or afterwards,” she added, with a quaver.

From Project Gutenberg

She evidently realized that her tone was a mere quaver of assent, for she repeated the word more firmly.

From Project Gutenberg