quaver
verbEtymology 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.
1
To shake in a trembling manner.
2
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.1982 December 11, Andrea Loewenstein, “The Joys of Community or Holiday-itis Strikes Back”, in Gay Community News, volume 10, number 21, page 12:
3
To utter quaveringly.
- We shall hear her quavering them […] to some sprightly airs of the opera.1711 November 4 (Gregorian calendar), [Joseph Addison; Richard Steele et al.], “WEDNESDAY, October 25, 1711”, in The Spectator, number 205; republished in Alexander Chalmers, editor, The Spectator; a New Edition, […], volume III, New York, N.Y.: D[aniel] Appleton & Company, 1853, →OCLC:
- Derived terms
- quaverer, quaveringly, quaverous, quavery, unquavering