quaver

n 1: a tremulous sound

2: a musical note having the time value of an eighth of a whole

note [syn: {eighth note}]

v 1: give off unsteady sounds, alternating in amplitude or

frequency [syn: {waver}]

2: sing with trills [syn: {warble}, {trill}]

quarter

Two bits. This in turn comes from the "pieces of eight" famed

in pirate movies - Spanish silver crowns that could be broken

into eight pie-slice-shaped "bits" to make change. Early in

American history the Spanish coin was considered equal to a

dollar, so each of these "bits" was considered worth 12.5

cents. Usage: rare.

Synonyms: {tayste}, {crumb}, {quad}.

See also {nickle}, {nibble}, {byte}, {dynner}.

[{Jargon File}]

(1995-01-25)