waver

Noun · Verb

WordNet 3.0

Noun (3)

  1. someone who communicates by waving
  2. the act of pausing uncertainly“there was a hesitation in his speech”Synonyms: hesitationfalterfaltering
  3. the act of moving back and forthSynonyms: flutterflicker

Verb (7)

  1. pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness“Authorities hesitate to quote exact figures”Synonyms: hesitatewaffle
  2. be unsure or weak“Their enthusiasm is faltering”Synonyms: falter
  3. move hesitatingly, as if about to give waySynonyms: falter
  4. move or sway in a rising and falling or wavelike pattern“the line on the monitor vacillated”Synonyms: fluctuatevacillate
  5. move back and forth very rapidly“the candle flickered”Synonyms: flickerflitterflutterquiver
  6. sway to and froSynonyms: weave
  7. give off unsteady sounds, alternating in amplitude or frequencySynonyms: quaver
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Waver \Wa"ver\, n. [From Wave, or Waver, v.] A sapling left standing in a fallen wood. [Prov. Eng.] --Halliwell. [1913 Webster]

Waver \Wa"ver\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Wavered; p. pr. & vb. n. Wavering.] [OE. waveren, from AS. w[ae]fre wavering, restless. See Wave, v. i.] [1913 Webster]

1.To play or move to and fro; to move one way and the other; hence, to totter; to reel; to swing; to flutter. [1913 Webster]

With banners and pennons wavering with the wind.— Ld. Berners.[1913 Webster]
Thou wouldst waver on one of these trees as a terror to all evil speakers against dignities.— Sir W. Scott.[1913 Webster]

2.To be unsettled in opinion; to vacillate; to be undetermined; to fluctuate; as, to water in judgment. [1913 Webster]

Let us hold fast . . . without wavering.— Heb. x. 23.[1913 Webster]
In feeble hearts, propense enough before To waver, or fall off and join with idols.— Milton.[1913 Webster]

Syn: To reel; totter; vacillate. See Fluctuate. [1913 Webster]

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