hesitate
Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary
Contents |
[edit] English
[edit] Etymology
From Latin haesitatus, past participle of haesitare, intens. from haerere to hesitate, stick fast; to hang or hold fast. Compare aghast, gaze, adhere.
[edit] Pronunciation
- IPA: /ˈhɛzɪteɪt/
[edit] Verb
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Infinitive |
Third person singular |
Simple past |
Past participle |
Present participle |
to hesitate (third-person singular simple present hesitates, present participle hesitating, simple past and past participle hesitated)
- (intransitive) To stop or pause respecting decision or action; to be in suspense or uncertainty as to a determination.
- Alexander Pope,
- He hesitated whether to accept the offer or not; men often hesitate in forming a judgment.
- Alexander Pope,
- (intransitive) To stammer; to falter in speaking.
- (transitive, poetic, rare) To utter with hesitation or to intimate by a reluctant manner.
- Alexander Pope,
- Just hint a fault, and hesitate dislike.
- Alexander Pope,
[edit] Usage notes
- This is a catenative verb that takes the to infinitive. See Appendix:English catenative verbs
[edit] Synonyms
[edit] Derived terms
[edit] Translations
To stop or pause respecting decision or action
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To stammer; to falter in speaking
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