falter

fal·ter  (fôltr)

intr.v. fal·tered, fal·ter·ing, fal·ters

1. To be unsteady in purpose or action, as from loss of courage or confidence; waver. See Synonyms at hesitate.

2. To speak hesitatingly; stammer.

3.

a. To move ineptly or haltingly; stumble.

b. To operate or perform unsteadily or with a loss of effectiveness: The automobile engine faltered.

n.

1. Unsteadiness in speech or action.

2. A faltering sound.

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[Middle English falteren, to stagger, possibly from Old Norse faltrask, to be puzzled, hesitate.]

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falter·er n.

falter·ing·ly adv.

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falter

Verb

1. to be hesitant, weak, or unsure

2. (of a machine) to lose power or strength in an uneven way: the engine began to falter and the plane lost height

3. to speak nervously and without confidence

4. to stop moving smoothly and start moving unsteadily: as he neared the house his steps faltered [origin unknown]

faltering adj

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	falter - the act of pausing uncertainly; "there was a hesitation in his speech" faltering, waver, hesitation pause - temporary inactivity
Verb	1.	falter - be unsure or weak; "Their enthusiasm is faltering" waver hesitate, waffle, waver - pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness; "Authorities hesitate to quote exact figures"
	2.	falter - move hesitatingly, as if about to give way waver move - move so as to change position, perform a nontranslational motion; "He moved his hand slightly to the right"
	3.	falter - walk unsteadily; "The drunk man stumbled about" stumble, bumble walk - use one's feet to advance; advance by steps; "Walk, don't run!"; "We walked instead of driving"; "She walks with a slight limp"; "The patient cannot walk yet"; "Walk over to the cabinet"
	4.	falter - speak haltingly; "The speaker faltered when he saw his opponent enter the room" stammer, stutter, bumble mouth, speak, talk, verbalise, verbalize, utter - express in speech; "She talks a lot of nonsense"; "This depressed patient does not verbalize"

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falter

verb 1. hesitate, delay, waver, vacillate, break << OPPOSITE persevere

verb 2. tumble, shake, tremble, totter

verb 3. stutter, pause, stumble, hesitate, stammer, speak haltingly

Translations

falter [ˈfɔːltəʳ] vi → vacilar

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falter [ˈfɔːltəʳ] vi → chanceler, vaciller

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falter [ˈfɔːltəʳ] vi → stocken;

(hesitate) → zögern

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falter [ˈfɔːltəʳ] vi → esitare, vacillare