Definitions

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • verb Present participle of quaver.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • adjective (of the voice) quivering as from weakness or fear

Etymologies

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Examples

  • I told him my desires humbly, in quavering syllables.

    The Dignity of Dollars 2010

  • And in quavering falsetto, with the customary broken-notes, the old man sang.

    THE BONES OF KAHEKILI 2010

  • And in quavering falsetto, with the customary broken-notes, the old man sang.

    The Bones of Kahekili 1919

  • I told him my desires humbly, in quavering syllables.

    The Dignity of Dollars 1910

  • I told him my desires humbly, in quavering syllables.

    THE DIGNITY OF DOLLARS 1900

  • Such a charivari as ensued, for just as my tugs at the alarm-bell began to take effect, the clock struck twelve, and the waits set up outside my window in quavering tones, with their teeth chattering from the cold, an old-fashioned lilt.

    A Christmas Cake in Four Quarters Mary Anne 1871

  • [Fumbling and bumbling and frightened conversations as the Church quickly changes its position on women's ordination, with cardinals and the Pope whispering in quavering voices, Hurry!

    Insight Scoop | The Ignatius Press Blog: 2009

  • [Fumbling and bumbling and frightened conversations as the Church quickly changes its position on women's ordination, with cardinals and the Pope whispering in quavering voices, Hurry!

    Oh, this is soooooo rich 2009

  • There was some kind of quavering, high-pitched noise coming out of my mouth that seemed to come from my gut at the same time.

    "But I'm still an embryo/With a long, long way to go." Ann Althouse 2008

  • There was a kind of quavering buzz in it that made it warble, somehow, made the words slither uncertainly.

    Dead Beat Butcher, Jim 2005

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