Refine this word faster

Stronger alternatives Opposite tone Use in context Cross-language nuance

Quaver

//ˈkweɪvə(ɹ)// noun, verb

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A trembling shake.
  2. 2
    a musical note having the time value of an eighth of a whole note wordnet
  3. 3
    A trembling of the voice, as in speaking or singing.
  4. 4
    a tremulous sound wordnet
  5. 5
    an eighth note, drawn as a crotchet (quarter note) with a tail.

    "The crotchets and quavers are dancing up and down the stave like little black boys on a fence."

Verb
  1. 1
    To shake in a trembling manner.
  2. 2
    sing or play with trills, alternating with the half note above or below wordnet
  3. 3
    To use the voice in a trembling manner, as in speaking or singing. intransitive

    ""Aw come on, guys!" The woman, clearly overwhelmed by the force of the two friends' personalities, quavered on the point of tears."

  4. 4
    give off unsteady sounds, alternating in amplitude or frequency wordnet
  5. 5
    To utter quaveringly. transitive

    "We shall hear her quavering them […] to some sprightly airs of the opera."

Etymology

Etymology 1

From Middle English quaveren, frequentative form of quaven, cwavien (“to tremble”), equivalent to quave + -er. Cognate with Low German quabbeln (“to quiver”), German quabbeln, quappeln (“to quiver”). More at quave, quab, quiver.

Etymology 2

From Middle English quaveren, frequentative form of quaven, cwavien (“to tremble”), equivalent to quave + -er. Cognate with Low German quabbeln (“to quiver”), German quabbeln, quappeln (“to quiver”). More at quave, quab, quiver.

See also for "quaver"

Synonyms Antonyms Rhymes Sentences Translate Word Type Pronunciation Word Forms

Next best steps

Find stronger synonymsSee usage examplesCheck pronunciation

Mini challenge

Unscramble this word: quaver