/ ˈhɒvə(r); NAmE ˈhʌvər/ verb [ v , usually + adv. / prep. ]
1.
( of birds, helicopters , etc. ) to stay in the air in one place :
A hawk hovered over the hill.
2.
( of a person ) to wait somewhere, especially near sb, in a shy or uncertain manner :
He hovered nervously in the doorway.
3.
[+ adv. / prep. ] to stay close to sth, or to stay in an uncertain state :
Temperatures hovered around freezing.
He hovered on the edge of consciousness.
A smile hovered on her lips.
••
WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from archaic hove hover, linger , of unknown origin.