Quaveringly

Part of speech: adverb

Definitions

1. In a fashion that reflects a trembling or shaky nature
2. In a way that shows a noticeable trembling or unsteady quality
3. With a voice or movement that wavers due to insecurity or emotion

Etymology: "Quaveringly" is a plain formation: the adjective "quavering" with the suffix "-ly" added to make it an adverb. The adjective "quavering" comes from the verb "quaver," which describes a voice or sound that trembles or wavers in pitch and volume, and the sense has since spread to any unsteady motion. The suffix does most of the work here. It traces back through Middle English "-ly" and Old English "-līce," which descends from a Proto-Germanic form meaning "in the manner of" or "having the form of" a noun or adjective. Originally the suffix was tied to the idea of body or shape, so a word ending in it described something done in the likeness of its base. English has used it to build adverbs from adjectives for centuries, and "quaveringly" follows that pattern exactly.

Synonyms: tremulously, shakily

Antonyms: steadily