falter
[ fawl-ter ]
/ ˈfɔl tər /
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verb (used without object)
to hesitate or waver in action, purpose, intent, etc.; give way: Her courage did not falter at the prospect of hardship.
to speak hesitatingly or brokenly.
to move unsteadily; stumble.
verb (used with object)
to utter hesitatingly or brokenly: to falter an apology.
noun
the act of faltering; an unsteadiness of gait, voice, action, etc.
a faltering sound.
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Origin of falter
1300–50; Middle English falteren, of obscure origin; perhaps akin to Old Norse faltrast to bother with, be troubled with
OTHER WORDS FROM falter
Words nearby falter
falsity, Falstaff, Falstaffian, Falster, faltboat, falter, Falun, Falun Gong, Falwell, falx, falx cerebelli
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for falter
British Dictionary definitions for falter
falter
/ (ˈfɔːltə) /
verb
(intr) to be hesitant, weak, or unsure; waver
(intr) to move unsteadily or hesitantly; stumble
to utter haltingly or hesitantly; stammer
noun
uncertainty or hesitancy in speech or action
a quavering or irregular sound
Derived forms of falter
falterer, nounfalteringly, adverbWord Origin for falter
C14: probably of Scandinavian origin; compare Icelandic faltrast
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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