• Hesitate

    Pronunciation

    • IPA: /ˈhÉ›zɪteɪt/

    Alternative forms

    Origin

    From Latin haesitatus, past participle of

    haesitare, intensive of haerere ("to hesitate, stick fast;to hang or hold fast"). Compare aghast, gaze, adhere.

    Full definition of hesitate

    Verb

    1. (intransitive) To stop or pause respecting decision or action; to be in suspense or uncertainty as to a determination.He hesitated whether to accept the offer or not; men often hesitate in forming a judgment.
    2. (intransitive) To stammer; to falter in speaking.
    3. (transitive, poetic, rare) To utter with hesitation or to intimate by a reluctant manner.

    Usage notes

    This is a catenative verb that takes the to infinitive. See

    Derived terms

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