Definitions

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • verb Simple past tense and past participle of hesitate.

Etymologies

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Examples

  • "Well, then —" The captain hesitated and cleared his throat.

    A SON OF THE SUN 2010

  • Taking a pass from Ryan Whitney while above the right face-off circle, Malkin hesitated before firing a slap shot - using Rachunek as a screen - past Lundqvist.

    USATODAY.com - Hockey - N.Y. Rangers vs. Pittsburgh 2006

  • Joaquin hesitated on his run up to the ball and then watch his weak kick saved easily by Korean goalkeeper Lee Woon Jae.

    World Cup Soccer - South Korea vs. Spain 2002

  • "Well, then" The captain hesitated and cleared his throat.

    A Son of the Sun 1912

  • The king again hesitated, and in the intervening time, the messenger whom all must obey was gaining entrance to the death-chamber; from the effort to provide for the future rule of the kingdom he relapsed into unconsciousness, and passed away without having named his successor to the throne.

    Hawaii's Story, by Hawaii's Queen 1898

  • He again hesitated; he seemed confused, and sorry that he had undertaken to deliver it.

    Memoirs of Mary Robinson Mary Elizabeth Robinson 1895

  • The vision of her mourning robes and melancholy beauty so deeply impressed Capitola that, almost for the first time in her life, she hesitated from a feeling of diffidence, and said gently:

    The Hidden Hand 1888

  • Camilla was desired to fix their route, and while she hesitated from the variety in her choice, Lionel proposed to Edgar that they should take a view of his house, park, and gardens, which were only three miles from

    Camilla: or, A Picture of Youth 1796

  • He has long loved and cheered me; but you, madam, who have never forgiven me the least fault, or praised any good act I may have done, though you knew by experience that it was not my wont to talk of love and mundane vanities, and that I lived a more religious life than any other of your servants, you have not hesitated from the first to take offence at my speaking to a gentleman as unfortunate as myself, and in whose friendship I sought nothing else than consolation of mind.

    The Heptameron of Margaret, Queen of Navarre 1855

  • While the Kremlin hesitated before responding to Britain’s expulsion of four diplomats, the Russian military engaged in some old-fashioned sabre-rattling.

    Russian Bombers Test British Reactions 2007

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