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.
Hes"i*tate, v. t. To utter with
hesitation or to intimate by a reluctant manner. [Poetic &
R.]
Just hint a fault, and hesitate
dislike.
Pope.
