Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition

Hesitate

Hes′i-tate

,
Verb.
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.
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.
Syn. – To doubt; waver; scruple; deliberate; demur; falter; stammer.

Hes′i-tate

,
Verb.
T.
To utter with hesitation or to intimate by a reluctant manner.
[Poetic & R.]
Just hint a fault, and
hesitate
dislike.
Pope.

Webster 1828 Edition

Hesitate

HES'ITATE

,
Verb.
I.
s as z. [L. haesito, haereo, to hang.]
1.
To stop or pause respecting decision or action; to be doubtful as to fact, principle or determination; to be in suspense or uncertainty; as, he hesitated whether to accept the offer or not. We often hesitate what judgment to form.
It is never transitive, unless by poetic license.
Just hint a fault, and hesitate dislike.
2.
To stammer; to stop in speaking.

Similar Results