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quaver
[ kwey-ver ]
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
- a quavering or tremulous shake, especially in the voice.
- a quavering tone or utterance.
- Music (chiefly British). an eighth note.
quaver
/ ˈkweɪvə /
verb
- to say or sing (something) with a trembling voice
- intr (esp of the voice) to quiver, tremble, or shake
- rare.intr to sing or play quavers or ornamental trills
noun
- music a note having the time value of an eighth of a semibreve Usual US and Canadian nameeighth note
- a tremulous sound or note
Derived Forms
- ˈquavering, adjective
- ˈquaverer, noun
- ˈquavery, adjective
- ˈquaveringly, adverb
Other Words From
- quaver·er noun
- quaver·ing·ly adverb
- quaver·y quaver·ous adjective
- un·quaver·ing adjective
Word History and Origins
Word History and Origins
Origin of quaver1
Example Sentences
Smush the most colossal personalities from these subgroups together into one place and dangle the threat of cash or murder over their heads, and quickly the energy quavers with paranoia and ridiculousness.
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.
Voice quavering, I told Sam that I was looking for an actual relationship, one that could go somewhere.
“Keep up the fight,” he told the audience in a quavering voice.
Dressed in a traditional feathered cloak, her voice quavered as she thrust a photo of her mother at the committee.
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