Make Your Point > Archived Issues > QUAVER
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pronounce
QUAVER:
Say it "KWAY vur."
To hear it, click here.
connect this word to others:
Today we're checking out the word quaver, which comes with three adjectives you can pick from: quaverous, quavering, and quavery (yes, really).
But they don't sound particularly graceful, right? So when you need a nice, formal adjective meaning "sounding shaky," I recommend going with tr_m_l__s instead. Can you recall that one? Hint: think of a voice shaking like a miniature earthquake.
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definition:
We're not quite sure where the word "quaver" came from. It might be from Old English, and it might be imitative, meaning it's a word that copies the sound of what it describes. We do know that "quaver" has been around in English for a very long time, going back to the 1400s.
To quaver is to shake or tremble, or to sound shaky or trembly.
And a quaver is a shaking or a trembling, or a shaky or trembly sound.
grammatical bits:
Part of speech:
Verb, usually the intransitive kind: "Their voices quavered;" "The last notes of the songs quavered, then died out."
Rarely, the transitive kind: "She quavered a 'no.'"
"Quaver" is also a noun: "We heard a slight quaver in his voice."
Other forms:
The other verb forms are "quavered" and "quavering."
People or things that quaver are "quaverers."
For an adjective, take whichever you like best: "quavery," "quaverous," or "quavering."
And, on a happier note, your voice might be "unquavering," and you might speak "unquaveringly."
how to use it:
"Quaver" is a formal word, one that we'll categorize as "semi-common." That is, it's common enough to be nice and clear to everyone, but rare enough to call a bit of extra attention to itself.
It has some specific uses when we talk about music--a quaver is a shaky little note, and more technically, an eighth note--and so we pick "quaver" most often to talk about voices, whether they're speaking or singing.
Most often, we talk about voices quavering, whether in fear, rage, nervousness, excitement, melancholy, or any other emotion that seems to sit in the throat.
But physical things can quaver, too, meaning they simply shake: body parts, whole bodies, reflections in water, furniture, planets, etc.
examples:
"'I knew I was going to cry at some point. It's overwhelming the amount of people here today,' she said, tears welling in her eyes, her voice quavering with emotion."
— John Kekis, Associated Press, 21 July 2019
"His voice sounds tattered and nervous, with a grainy quaver, as if he's looking over his shoulder half the time."
— Jon Pareles, New York Times, 11 March 2020
has this page helped you understand "quaver"?
study it:
Explain the meaning of "quaver" without saying "sound tremulous" or "give off shaky sounds."
try it out:
Check out this example from Reuters: "Fans [of the singer Charles Aznavour] admired his mature storytelling ability and quavering vibrato voice, rich in sensitivity and range."
Who's another musician with a rich voice that sometimes quavers? Talk about some of this person's quavering songs or lines that sound especially powerful to you.
before you review, play:
Try to spend 20 seconds or more on the game below. Don’t skip straight to the review—first, let your working memory empty out.
Our game for November is "SpongeBob Shakespeare."
Check out the goofy quote below. Is it from SpongeBob Squarepants, or is it a modern-English version of a quote from Shakespeare?
I'll list the answer at the bottom of each issue. Enjoy!
Try this one today:
"I'd love to be better strangers with you."
review this word:
1. The nearest opposite of QUAVERING is
A. STEADY.
B. STOOPING.
C. STENTORIAN (LOUD).
2. The Washington Post described Al Franken's _____ as "quavering" as he _____.
A. fame .. wrote and performed for Saturday Night Live
B. voice .. announced his resignation after accusations of misconduct
C. books .. published The Truth (With Jokes) and Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them
a final word:
I hope you're enjoying Make Your Point. It's made with love.
I'm Liesl Johnson, a reading and writing tutor on a mission to explore, illuminate, and celebrate words.
From my blog:
36 ways to study words.
Why we forget words, & how to remember them.
How to use sophisticated words without being awkward.
To be a sponsor and include your ad in an issue, please contact me at Liesl@HiloTutor.com.
Disclaimer: When I write definitions, I use plain language and stick to the words' common, useful applications. If you're interested in authoritative and multiple definitions of words, I encourage you to check a dictionary. Also, because I'm American, I stick to American English when I share words' meanings, usage, and pronunciations; these elements sometimes vary across world Englishes.
Say it "KWAY vur."
Today we're checking out the word quaver, which comes with three adjectives you can pick from: quaverous, quavering, and quavery (yes, really).
We're not quite sure where the word "quaver" came from. It might be from Old English, and it might be imitative, meaning it's a word that copies the sound of what it describes. We do know that "quaver" has been around in English for a very long time, going back to the 1400s.
Part of speech:
"Quaver" is a formal word, one that we'll categorize as "semi-common." That is, it's common enough to be nice and clear to everyone, but rare enough to call a bit of extra attention to itself.
"'I knew I was going to cry at some point. It's overwhelming the amount of people here today,' she said, tears welling in her eyes, her voice quavering with emotion."
Explain the meaning of "quaver" without saying "sound tremulous" or "give off shaky sounds."
Check out this example from Reuters: "Fans [of the singer Charles Aznavour] admired his mature storytelling ability and quavering vibrato voice, rich in sensitivity and range."
Try to spend 20 seconds or more on the game below. Don’t skip straight to the review—first, let your working memory empty out.
1. The nearest opposite of QUAVERING is
|