hesitate

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   To pause before doing something because you are nervous or unsure.

   She hesitated for a moment before answering the question.

2. 2
   verb

   To be unwilling to do something because you are not sure it is right.

   Don't hesitate to call me if you need any help.

Etymology tree Latin haereō Proto-Indo-European *-h₂ Proto-Indo-European *-éh₂ Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *-eh₂yéti Proto-Italic *-āō Latin -ō Latin -tō ▲ Latin -tō Latin -itō Latin -titō Latin haesitō Latin haesitātusbor. English hesitate Borrowed from Latin haesitātus, perfect passive participle of haesitō (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)), intensive of haereō (“to hesitate, stick fast; to hang or hold fast”). Displaced native Old English wandian. Compare French hésiter.

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