Quaver
/ˈkweɪ.vər/noun
To tremble or shake in the voice or sound; also, a trembling musical tone or note.
Did you know?Quaver is likely a sound-symbolic word, built to imitate a shaky, wavering motion, which is why English uses it for both a trembling voice and a trembling musical note.
Etymological Timeline
16th Century
English
quaver
“To tremble, shake, or utter with a wavering voice.”
Middle English
English
quaveren
“To tremble or shake; to quiver.”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*kwab- / *kwap-
“A shaky or quivering sound/motion base, probably expressive rather than a securely reconstructed inherited root.”
Modern English
English
quaver
“To speak or sing with a trembling voice; a wavering tone or musical note.”