Meanings
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1
noun
in British musical terminology, a note with half the time value of a crotchet; an eighth note
The melody opens with four quick quavers followed by a sustained note.
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2
noun
a slight tremble or wavering in a person's voice
A nervous quaver entered his voice when the questions became more pointed.
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3
verb
to speak, sing, or sound with an unsteady, trembling voice
Her voice quavered as she read the final lines of the letter.
Thesaurus
Etymology
From Middle English quaveren ('to tremble'), a frequentative form of quaven ('to shake or tremble'). The musical noun developed from the idea of a tremulous sound; in modern British notation it names what American English calls an eighth note.