quaveringly

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Related to quaveringly: quiveringly

qua·ver

(kwā′vər)

v. qua·vered, qua·ver·ing, qua·vers

v.intr.

1. To quiver, as from weakness; tremble.

2. To speak in a quivering voice; utter a quivering sound.

3. Music To produce a trill on an instrument or with the voice.

v.tr.

To utter or sing in a trilling voice.

1. A quivering sound.

2. Music

a. A trill.

b. An eighth note.

[Middle English quaveren, probably frequentative of cwavien, quaven, to tremble.]

qua′ver·ing·ly adv.

qua′ver·y adj.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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Adv.

quaveringly - in an unsteady quavering manner; "the man began quaveringly to question the soldier"

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References in classic literature ?

The little girl reeled and, recovering herself, burst into tears and quaveringly cursed him.

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The youth, aghast and filled with wonder at the tall soldier, began quaveringly to question him.

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"You listen to me," said Miranda quaveringly. "Take the best place, regardless o' my sickness.