quaver
[ kwey-ver ]
/ ˈkweɪ vər /
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
Nearby words
Related formsqua·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. 2019
Examples from the Web for quavering
British Dictionary definitions for quavering
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 Formsquaverer, 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
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