hesitate

Verb
Synonyms: waverwafflepause

WordNet 3.0

Verb (2)

  1. pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness“Authorities hesitate to quote exact figures”Synonyms: waverwaffle
  2. interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing“The speaker paused”Synonyms: pause
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Hesitate \Hes"i*tate\, v. t. To utter with hesitation or to intimate by a reluctant manner. [Poetic & R.] [1913 Webster]

Just hint a fault, and hesitate dislike. --Pope. [1913 Webster]

Hesitate \Hes"i*tate\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Hesitated; p. pr. & vb. n. Hesitating.] [L. haesitatus, p. p. of haesitare, intens. fr. haerere to hesitate, stick fast; to hang or hold fast. Cf. Aghast, Gaze, Adhere.] [1913 Webster]

1.To stop or pause respecting decision or action; to be in suspense or uncertainty as to a determination; as, he hesitated whether to accept the offer or not; men often hesitate in forming a judgment. --Pope. [1913 Webster]

2.To stammer; to falter in speaking.

Syn: To doubt; waver; scruple; deliberate; demur; falter; stammer. [1913 Webster]

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