vacillare

sway to and fro; hesitate

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An older man wavers between two shirts while a shop assistant holds both up.

verb

vacillate

VAS-uh-layt/ˈvæsəleɪt/

To waver between alternatives without settling on one.

Etymology

vacillateLatinsway to and fro; hesitate

The Latin verb joins physical swaying with hesitation. English likewise moved from unsteady bodily motion to wavering in opinion or choice, as though the mind were swaying between alternatives.

Full entry

Related word entries

vacillate