The Collaborative International Dictionary
Quaver \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.]
To tremble; to vibrate; to shake.
--Sir I. Newton.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
Wiktionary
n. The act of something that quavers. vb. (present participle of quaver English)
WordNet
adj. (of the voice) quivering as from weakness or fear; "the old lady's quavering voice"; "spoke timidly in a tremulous voice" [syn: tremulous]
Usage examples of "quavering".
For a moment their hands seemed to touch, and then Ran Borune gave a long, quavering sigh, sank back on his pillows, and died.
A moment later the quavering vocal signal of the program responded with a shrill squeak that gradually became a groaning boom.
It's a terrible thing,' Doc Daneeka protested in a voice quavering with strong emotion.
A strange, quavering, involuntary noise came bubbling from Yossarian's throat.
Ermintrude answered, quavering a little, for she was truly grieved to have hurt him, yet steadfast in her determination.
He pointed a quavering finger at the newcomer and shouted, "Get outta here, Tacit!
His voice had none of the quavering and uncertainty to it that I was accustomed to hearing.
Then there came a single quavering cry from the next room, cut off in the middle by a single sickening crash that made them lurch.
He helped her around a slimy puddle and grinned commiseratingly when she complained in a quavering voice about the condition of the street and the manifold dangers to which an old woman was exposed.
The familiar ache in her vagina, the lust for the Captain's cock, the paddle's crack, these things were there as she marched, the leather collar bouncing cruelly against her uplifted chin, the balls of her feet smacking the packed earth, but still it was not that terrible quavering dread she had known before.
His studies had given him a manner of odd, quavering belligerence, as if he had found a new weapon.
On the far side of the driveway the orchard, mostly Winesap apples, massed in the dark and the leaves quavering with wind and it came to me maybe I'm dead?
Marianne was carrying her garment bag in the direction of the back door and somehow the plastic handle slipped from her fingers and Patrick hesitated before helping her to retneve it and Marianne said quickly, her voice quavering, fear in her eyes that were a damp blurred blue Patrick would after ward recall, "No!