HESITATE

hesitate. Hesitate, v.i. to pause, delay, doubt, stammer

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Hes″i‐tate (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Hesitated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Hesitating.] [[L. haesitatus, p. p. of haesitare, intens. fr. haerere to hesitate, stick fast; to hang or hold fast. Cf. Aghast, Gaze, Adhere.]] 1. 1. To stop or pause respecting decision or action; to be in suspense or uncertainty as to a determination; as, he hesitated whether to accept the offer or not; men often hesitate in forming a judgment. Pope.
2. 2. To stammer; to falter in speaking.
Syn. — To doubt; waver; scruple; deliberate; demur; falter; stammer.