falter
[fawl-ter]
- 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.
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- to utter hesitatingly or brokenly: to falter an apology.
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- 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
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
reelflounderhesitatewaverwobbletotterfluffvacillatehaltteeterstammerrockquaverlurchscruplebreakfluctuatestaggershaketoppleExamples from the Web for falter
Contemporary Examples
Every one of those models began to falter within 30 years or so.
Both women now adamantly believe the negotiations will falter and their sons will serve out the rest of their terms.
She was still going strong as she turned 100 and his own health began to falter.
It says that if you falter, the powers that be will more likely see criminality than youthful indiscretion.
The more Palin and Tebow falter, the more rabid their supporters become.
Historical Examples
I smiled and held out both my hands to him, and I could see him falter as he looked.
The Bacillus of BeautyHarriet Stark
“Not very,” Mr Verloc managed to falter out, in a profound shudder.
The Secret AgentJoseph Conrad
I had come and gone twice, and was again sitting by her, when she began to falter.
A Tale of Two CitiesCharles Dickens
Was there anything in the forecast of the night that made him falter?
Bride of the MistletoeJames Lane Allen
Still her voice did not falter, and my courage did not give way.
Wilfrid CumbermedeGeorge MacDonald
falter
- (intr) to be hesitant, weak, or unsure; waver
- (intr) to move unsteadily or hesitantly; stumble
- to utter haltingly or hesitantly; stammer
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- uncertainty or hesitancy in speech or action
- a quavering or irregular sound
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Word Origin
C14: probably of Scandinavian origin; compare Icelandic faltrast
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for falter
v.
mid-14c., of unknown origin, possibly from a Scandinavian source (cf. Old Norse faltrask "be burdened, hesitate, be troubled"), or a frequentative of Middle English falden "to fold," influenced by fault. Related: Faltered; faltering.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper