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Webster's Dictionary (1865)

2 entries under this word

Hesitate

Hĕs'i-tāte, v. i.

verbintransitive

v. i. [imp. & p. p. HESITATED; p. pr. & vb. n. HESITATING.] [Lat. hæsitare, hæsitatum, v. intens. from hærēre, to hang or hold fast; Fr. hésiter, O. Sp. hesitar, It. esitare.]

  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; men often hesitate as to what judgment to form.
  2. To stammer; to stop in speaking.

Syn.—To doubt; waver; scruple; deliberate; demur; falter; stammer.

Hĕs'i-tāte, v. t.

verbtransitive

v. t. To be uncertain about; to be undecided in reference to; also, to utter with hesitation; to stammer out. [Obs. and rare.] “Just hint a fault, and hesitate dislike.” Pope.