¹ Source: wiktionary.com
Definition of Quavery
1. quivery [adj] - See also: quivery
Lexicographical Neighbors of Quavery
Literary usage of Quavery
Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:
1. Allen's Synonyms and Antonyms by Frederic Sturges Allen (1920)
"2. shaky, quivery, quavery (тате), trembly (rare); spec, tottery. trend, vi
tend (rare of persons), gravitate (formal or learned), set, drift, strike (rare ..."
2. Slang and Its Analogues Past and Present: A Dictionary, Historical and by John Stephen Farmer, William Ernest Henley (1902)
"QUATRO, adj. (showmen's).—Four. [From the It.] QUAVER, subs. musician. (common).
— A quavery-WAVERY, m//, and adv. (old : dialectical).—Undecided. 1749. ..."
3. Some Materials for the History of Wherstead by Foster Barham Zincke (1887)
"quavery-mavery.—Undecided. The first part appears to be connected with ' quaver.'
For the whole word Forby suggests 'quave-mire'—Old English for 'quagmire. ..."
4. Wherstead: Some Materials for Its History: Territorial, Manorial and During by Foster Barham Zincke (1893)
"quavery-mavery.—Undecided. The first part appears to be connected with ' quaver.'
For the whole word Forby suggests ' quave-mire'—Old English for ' quagmire ..."
5. War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy (1904)
"the sharp-nosed soldier, called ' Crow,' said suddenly, in a squeaking and quavery
voice, turning himself on one elbow behind the fire. ..."
6. Publications by English Dialect Society (1896)
"quavery Mavery. Undecided, and hesitating how to decide; not on an even balance ;
meaning to determine, but fearful of taking a wrong step. ..."
7. Sunset by Southern Pacific Company, Southern Pacific Company. Passenger Dept (1913)
"Then I strolled over to the car quite carelessly and got in, having all the time
that quavery sersa- tion which runs up and down one's spine when one passes ..."
8. St. Nicholas by Mary Mapes Dodge (1920)
"... he felt so blithe and young that he lifted his quavery old voice in an odd
little song: "What do the sparrows talk about—bout In the bamboo branches ..."
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