quaver

noun

1. A trembling shake.
2. A trembling of the voice, as in speaking or singing.
3. an eighth note, drawn as a crotchet (quarter note) with a tail.

   “The crotchets and quavers are dancing up and down the stave like little black boys on a fence.”

verb

1. To shake in a trembling manner.
2. (intransitive)To use the voice in a trembling manner, as in speaking or singing.

   “"Aw come on, guys!" The woman, clearly overwhelmed by the force of the two friends' personalities, quavered on the point of tears.”

3. (transitive)To utter quaveringly.

   “We shall hear her quavering them […] to some sprightly airs of the opera.”