quaver Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a tremulous sound
  2. noun a musical note having the time value of an eighth of a whole note
    eighth note.
  3. verb give off unsteady sounds, alternating in amplitude or frequency
    waver.
  4. verb sing or play with trills, alternating with the half note above or below
    trill; warble.

WordNet

Qua"ver intransitive verb
Etymology
OE. quaven to shake, to tremble; cf. LG. quabbeln to shake, to be soft, of fat substances, quabbe a fat lump of flesh, a dewlap, D. kwabbe, and E. quiver, v.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Quavered ; present participle & verbal noun Quavering
Definitions
  1. To tremble; to vibrate; to shake. Sir I. Newton.
  2. Especially, to shake the voice; to utter or form sound with rapid or tremulous vibrations, as in singing; also, to trill on a musical instrument
Qua"ver transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To utter with quavers.
    We shall hear her quavering them . . . to some sprightly airs of the opera. Addison.
Qua"ver noun
Definitions
  1. A shake, or rapid and tremulous vibration, of the voice, or of an instrument of music.
  2. (Mus.) An eighth note. See Eighth.

Webster 1913