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

Example Sentences

“His lips are quavering. World War Three is about to break out. ‘Toy-lay paper?

From Literature

The voice that sang it was profound and strong, but quavering and not quite in tune: an old oak tree with a strong trunk but with branches starting to kink and leaves to wither.

From The Wall Street Journal

Throughout the history of American music, blues, jazz and soul singers have used the jazzy quaver for the subtlest nuances of emotion: for tension, playfulness, defiance, flirtatiousness, ache or just blithe ornamentation.

From New York Times

Voice quavering, I told Sam that I was looking for an actual relationship, one that could go somewhere.

From Los Angeles Times

“Keep up the fight,” he told the audience in a quavering voice.

From Seattle Times