HES'ITATE, verb intransitive s as z. [Latin haesito, haereo, to hang.] 1. To stop or pause respecting decision or action; to be doubtful as to fact, principle or determination; to be in suspense or uncertainty; as, he hesitated whether to accept the offer or not. We often hesitate what judgment to form. It is never transitive, unless by poetic license. Just hint a fault, and hesitate dislike. 2. To stammer; to stop in speaking.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI