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.
HESITATE
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.
HESITATINGLY
Hes"i*ta`ting*ly, adv.
Defn: With hesitation or doubt.
HESITATION
Hes`i*ta"tion, n. Etym: [L. haesitatio: cf. F. hésitation.]
1. The act of hesitating; suspension of opinion or action; doubt; vacillation.
2. A faltering in speech; stammering. Swift.