Hesitate

Table of contents

1 Etymology 2 Intransitive verb 2.1 Synonyms 2.2 Derived terms 2.3 Translations 3 Transitive verb

Etymology

L. haesitatus, p.p. of haesitare, intens. fr. haerere to hesitate, stick fast; to hang or hold fast. Cf. Aghast, Gaze, Adhere.

Intransitive verb

hesitate (imp. & p.p. hesitated , p.pr. & vb.n. hesitating )

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. To stammer; to falter in speaking.

Synonyms

• doubt
• waver
• scruple
• deliberate
• demur
• falter
• stammer

Derived terms

• hesitation

Translations

• Chinese Characters: 徘
• Finnish: epäröidä
• German: zögern (1,2)
• Polish: wahać się (1), jąkać się (2)
• Swesish: tveka

Transitive verb

hesitate (imp. & p.p. hesitated , p.pr. & vb.n. hesitating )

1. To utter with hesitation or to intimate by a reluctant manner. [Poetic & R.]

   Just hint a fault, and hesitate dislike.
   Pope.