quaver
noun
- musical note having a duration equal to half that of a crotchet and an eighth that of a semibreve
verb
- quaver
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /ˈkweɪvə(ɹ)/
noun
Etymology: 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.
- A trembling shake.
- A trembling of the voice, as in speaking or singing.
- 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
Etymology: 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.
- To shake in a trembling manner.
- To use the voice in a trembling manner, as in speaking or singing.
“"Aw come on, guys!" The woman, clearly overwhelmed by the force of the two friends' personalities, quavered on the point of tears.”
- To utter quaveringly.
“We shall hear her quavering them […] to some sprightly airs of the opera.”