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

The tart, bluesy quaver in Andra Day’s voice has a long heritage.

From New York Times

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

For one thing, she’s got two songs, one of which — the standard “Part of Your World” — does manage to let her quaver some toward the end.

From New York Times

Crucially, too, Bailey has the set of pipes that every Ariel needs and a gift for modulating her emotions through music, shifting from a rich, confident vibrato one moment to a hesitant quaver the next.

From Los Angeles Times

The tight quaver in his voice and his frayed tone as he sings about “sleepless nights” are classic country, but the way he stretches some words and holds back others until the last moment is still his own.

From New York Times