Quaver

A note with half the value of a crochet. One eighth of a semibreve. That is, a quaver is an eighth note.

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Qua"ver, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Quavered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Quavering.] [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.]

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

© Webster 1913.

Qua"ver, v. t.

To utter with quavers.

We shall hear her quavering them . . . to some sprightly airs of the opera. Addison.

© Webster 1913.

Qua"ver, n.

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.