Word Frequency
quaver (ˈkweɪvə
)
Definitions
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 semibreve Usual US and Canadian name: eighth note
- a tremulous sound or note
Derived Forms
ˈquaverer nounˈquavering adjective
ˈquaveringly adverb
ˈquavery adjective
Word Origin
C15 (in the sense: to vibrate, quiver1): from quaven to tremble, of Germanic origin; compare Low German quabbeln to trembleTranslations for 'quaver'
- British English: quaver If someone's voice quavers, it sounds unsteady, usually because they are nervous or uncertain. VERBHer voice quavered and she fell silent.
- Brazilian Portuguese: tremer
- Chinese: 发颤发發颤顫
- European Spanish: temblar
- French: trembler
- German: zittern
- Italian: tremolare
- Japanese: 震える
- Korean: >떨리다무서움에
- Portuguese: tremer
- Spanish: temblar
Example Sentences Including 'quaver'
But their father, after looking round with haunted eyes, said in a shattered quaver of voice, `There he is.Coup d'Etat
He felt her breath quaver : then her hand slowly turned the key.Seize the Reckless Wind
His eyes welled with tears and there was a bit of a quaver in his voice.Ottawa Sun (2003)
I just hoped the sound of rushing water had covered the quaver in my voice.Misc (1998)
The former Hear'say star - now a classical artist - had the snapper all a quaver in the shoot for FHM mag.Sun, News of the World (2004)
The former Hear'say star -- now a classical artist -- had the snapper all a quaver in the shoot for FHM mag.Sun, News of the World (2004)
The quaver in her voice confirmed it: she was scared all right.Night Sisters
`She also said' -- Jeanette's voice had a quaver in it -- `that the man stealing the bible had a big black bow.VAGABOND
Sponsored Links
Log in to comment on this word.
Comments