I. ˈfȯl-tər verb
( fal·tered ; fal·ter·ing -t(ə-)riŋ)
Etymology: Middle English
Date: 14th century
intransitive verb
1.
a. : to walk unsteadily : stumble
b. : to give way : totter
could feel my legs falter ing
c. : to move waveringly or hesitatingly
2. : to speak brokenly or weakly : stammer
her voice falter ed
3.
a. : to hesitate in purpose or action : waver
he never falter ed in his determination
b. : to lose drive or effectiveness
the business was falter ing
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
II. noun
Date: 1834
: an act or instance of faltering