Hesitate
Pronunciation
- IPA: /ˈhɛzɪteɪt/
Alternative forms
- hæsitate archaic
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
- (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.
- (intransitive) To stammer; to falter in speaking.
- (transitive, poetic, rare) To utter with hesitation or to intimate by a reluctant manner.
- Alexander PopeJust hint a fault, and hesitate dislike.
Usage notes
This is a catenative verb that takes the to infinitive. See