[hes.i.tate] vb -tat.ed ; -tat.ing [L haesitatus, pp. of haesitare to stick fast, hesitate, freq. of haerere to stick] vi (ca. 1623) 1: to hold back in doubt or indecision
2: to delay momentarily: pause
3: stammer ~ vt: to hold back from in doubt or uncertainty "wouldn't ~ to commit herself" -- hes.i.tat.er n -- hes.i.tat.ing.ly adv syn 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".