/ ˈfɔːltə(r); NAmE / verb
1.
[ v ] to become weaker or less effective
SYN waver :
The economy shows no signs of faltering.
Her courage never faltered.
2.
to speak in a way that shows that you are not confident :
[ v ]
His voice faltered as he began his speech.
[also v speech ]
3.
[ v ] to walk or behave in a way that shows that you are not confident :
She walked up to the platform without faltering.
He never faltered in his commitment to the party.
► fal·ter·ing / ˈfɔːltərɪŋ; NAmE / adjective :
the faltering peace talks
the baby's first faltering steps
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English (in the senses stammer and stagger ): perhaps from the verb fold (which was occasionally used of the faltering of the legs or tongue) + -ter as in totter .