Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner's English Dictionary - quaver

(quavers, quavering, quavered) 1. If someone’s voice quavers, it sounds unsteady, usually because they are nervous or uncertain. Her voice quavered and she fell silent. = tremble VERB: V • Quaver is also a noun. There was a quaver in Beryl’s voice. N-COUNT 2. A quaver is a musical note that is half as long as a crotchet. (mainly BRIT; in AM, use eighth note) N-COUNT