Hes″i‐tate (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p.Hesitated (?); p. pr. & vb. n.Hesitating.] [L. haesitatus, p. p. of haesitare, intens. fr. haerere to hesitate, stick fast; to hang or hold fast. Cf. Aghast, Gaze, Adhere.]
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.