HESITATE


Meaning of HESITATE in English

transcription, транскрипция: [ ˈhe-zə-ˌtāt ]

verb

( -tat·ed ; -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

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.