'Hesitate' definitions:

Definition of 'hesitate'

From: WordNet
verb
Pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness; "Authorities hesitate to quote exact figures" [syn: hesitate, waver, waffle]
verb
Interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing; "The speaker paused" [syn: hesitate, pause]

Definition of 'Hesitate'

From: GCIDE
  • Hesitate \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.] [1913 Webster]
  • 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. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. To stammer; to falter in speaking.
  • Syn: To doubt; waver; scruple; deliberate; demur; falter; stammer. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Hesitate'

From: GCIDE
  • Hesitate \Hes"i*tate\, v. t. To utter with hesitation or to intimate by a reluctant manner. [Poetic & R.] [1913 Webster]
  • Just hint a fault, and hesitate dislike. --Pope. [1913 Webster]

Synonyms of 'hesitate'

From: Moby Thesaurus