semiquaver

American  

[sem-ee-kwey-ver] / ˈsɛm iˌkweɪ vər /

noun

Music (chiefly British).

1. a sixteenth note.

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semiquaver British  

/ ˈsɛmɪˌkweɪvə /

noun

1. Usual US and Canadian name: sixteenth note.  music a note having the time value of one-sixteenth of a semibreve

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Etymology

Origin of semiquaver

First recorded in 1570–80; semi- + quaver

Example Sentences

Pray did you observe, continued Epistemon, how this damned ill-favoured Semiquaver mentioned March as the best month for caterwauling?

From Gargantua and Pantagruel, Illustrated, Book 5 by Motteux, Peter Anthony

And as the preceding Semiquaver rang a handbell, this shaked the sprinkle with his fist.

From Gargantua and Pantagruel, Illustrated, Book 5 by Motteux, Peter Anthony

Chapter 5.XXVII.—How we came to the island of Sandals; and of the order of Semiquaver Friars.

From Gargantua and Pantagruel, Illustrated, Book 5 by Motteux, Peter Anthony

Well, quoth Panurge to the Semiquaver friar, who happened to be by, dear bumbasting, shaking, trilling, quavering cod, what thinkest thou of this fellow?

From Gargantua and Pantagruel, Illustrated, Book 5 by Motteux, Peter Anthony

Panurge asked a Semiquaver Friar many questions, and was only answered in monosyllables.

From Gargantua and Pantagruel, Illustrated, Book 5 by Motteux, Peter Anthony