hesitate

Synonyms

Antonyms

Hes"i*tate, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Hesitated; p. pr. & vb. n. Hesitating.] Etym: [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. 2. To stammer; to falter in speaking. Syn. -- To doubt; waver; scruple; deliberate; demur; falter; stammer. Hes"i*tate, v. t. Defn: To utter with hesitation or to intimate by a reluctant manner. [Poetic & R.] Just hint a fault, and hesitate dislike. Pope.