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hes·i·tate

Pronounced:

/ˈhɛˌteɪt/Listen to audio

Function:

verb

Inflected forms:

hes·i·tates; hes·i·tat·ed; hes·i·tat·ing

Meaning:

1 [no obj] : to stop briefly before you do something especially because you are nervous or unsure about what to do She hesitated and waited for her friend to say something. He hesitated about/over accepting the job.
2 [+ obj] : to be unwilling to do something because of doubt or uncertainty I sometimes hesitate to say what I am really thinking. I hesitated to come without being asked. I wouldn't hesitate to ask for your help if I felt I needed it. Don't hesitate to call if there is a problem.
he who hesitates is lost
used to say that it is important to make decisions and do things in a quick and definite way
—hes·i·ta·tion Listen to audio /ˌhɛˈteɪʃən/ noun [noncount] A moment's hesitation could have cost him his life. He showed no hesitation about/over accepting the job. I would do it again without hesitation. [=with no delay or doubts] [count] After several brief hesitations he proceeded.
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