Main Entry:

hes·i·tate

Pronunciation:

\ˈhe-zə-ˌtāt\

Function:

verb

Inflected Form(s):

hes·i·tat·ed; hes·i·tat·ing

Etymology:

Latin haesitatus, past participle of haesitare to stick fast, hesitate, frequentative of haerēre to stick

Date:

1598

intransitive verb 1 : to hold back in doubt or indecision 2 : to delay momentarily : pause 3 : stammer transitive verb : to hold back from in doubt or uncertainty <wouldn't hesitate to commit herself>

— hes·i·tat·er noun

— hes·i·tat·ing·ly \-ˌtā-tiŋ-lē\ adverb

synonyms hesitate, waver, vacillate, falter mean to show irresolution or uncertainty. hesitate implies a pause before deciding or acting or choosing <hesitated before answering the question>. waver implies hesitation after seeming to decide and so connotes weakness or a retreat <wavered in his support of the rebels>. vacillate implies prolonged hesitation from inability to reach a firm decision <vacillated until events were out of control>. falter implies a wavering or stumbling and often connotes nervousness, lack of courage, or outright fear <never once faltered during her testimony>.