Main Entry:

¹fal·ter

Pronunciation:

\ˈfȯl-tər\

Function:

verb

Inflected Form(s):

fal·tered; fal·ter·ing \-t(ə-)riŋ\

Etymology:

Middle English

Date:

14th century

intransitive verb1 a: to walk unsteadily : stumble b: to give way : totter <could feel my legs faltering> c: to move waveringly or hesitatingly2: to speak brokenly or weakly : stammer <her voice faltered>3 a: to hesitate in purpose or action : waver <he never faltered in his determination> b: to lose drive or effectiveness <the business was faltering>transitive verb: to utter hesitatingly or brokenly

synonyms see hesitate

— fal·ter·er \-tər-ər\ noun

— fal·ter·ing·ly \-t(ə-)riŋ-lē\ adverb