v.
Pronunciation: ' fo ̇ l-t ə r
Function: verb
Inflected Form: fal · tered ; fal · ter · ing \ -t( ə -)ri ŋ \
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 \ -t ə r- ə r \ noun
– fal · ter · ing · ly \ -t( ə -)ri ŋ -l ē \ adverb