I. ˈkwā-vər verb
( qua·vered ; qua·ver·ing ˈkwā-və-riŋ, ˈkwāv-riŋ)
Etymology: Middle English, frequentative of quaven to tremble
Date: 15th century
intransitive verb
1. : tremble
2. : trill
3. : to utter sound in tremulous tones
transitive verb
: to utter quaveringly
• qua·ver·ing·ly adverb
• qua·very ˈkwā-və-rē, ˈkwāv-rē adjective
II. noun
Date: 1570
1. : eighth note
2. : trill 1
3. : a tremulous sound