Falter
['fɔːltə;'fɒl-] or ['fɔltɚ]
Definition
(verb.) move hesitatingly, as if about to give way.
(verb.) be unsure or weak; 'Their enthusiasm is faltering'.
Inputed by Bella--From WordNet
Definition
(v. t.) To thrash in the chaff; also, to cleanse or sift, as barley.
(v. & n.) To hesitate; to speak brokenly or weakly; to stammer; as, his tongue falters.
(v. & n.) To tremble; to totter; to be unsteady.
(v. & n.) To hesitate in purpose or action.
(v. & n.) To fail in distinctness or regularity of exercise; -- said of the mind or of thought.
(v. t.) To utter with hesitation, or in a broken, trembling, or weak manner.
(v. i.) Hesitation; trembling; feebleness; an uncertain or broken sound; as, a slight falter in her voice.
Checked by Bonnie
Synonyms and Synonymous
v. n. [1]. Hesitate (in speech), stammer, stutter.[2]. Fail, waver, tremble, totter.
Checker: Sigmund
Definition
v.i. to stumble: to fail or stammer in speech: to tremble or totter: to be feeble or irresolute.—n. any unsteadiness.—n. Fal′tering feebleness deficiency.—adv. Fal′teringly in a faltering or hesitating manner.
Typist: Merritt
Examples
- She paused with a slight falter of embarrassment, and Trenor, turning abruptly, fixed on her a look of growing intelligence. Edith Wharton. The House of Mirth.
- These severe requirements were staggering, but Mr. Edison's courage did not falter. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- It seemed almost to crest the eminence, when it began to wave and falter. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- I had come and gone twice, and was again sitting by her, when she began to falter. Charles Dickens. A Tale of Two Cities.
- Lily's eyes did not falter, but a look of wonder, of puzzled self-interrogation, formed itself slowly in their depths. Edith Wharton. The House of Mirth.
- Riviere reddened, but his eyes did not falter. Edith Wharton. The Age of Innocence.
- Far happier than her Lady, as her Lady has often thought, why does she falter in this manner and look at her with such strange mistrust? Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- I'm too young, faltered Meg, wondering why she was so fluttered, yet rather enjoying it. Louisa May Alcott. Little Women.
- Her voice faltered and her hand trembled, and it was only the cold question of Ivanhoe, Is it you, gentle maiden? Walter Scott. Ivanhoe.
- As she came to the last words, Miss Sharp's deep-toned voice faltered. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- I faltered, I don't know. Charles Dickens. Great Expectations.
- A faltered on from one day to another, and then we heard he was gone. Thomas Hardy. The Return of the Native.
- I suppose,' faltered Bella, 'that we ARE both commissioned, or we shouldn't both be here? Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- It's like his writing, faltered Meg, comparing it with the note in her hand. Louisa May Alcott. Little Women.
- I never saw such faltering, such confusion, such amazement and apprehension. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- It means, he added, in a faltering voice, that my brother Richard has obtained his freedom. Walter Scott. Ivanhoe.
- Is there--' demanded Monks with a faltering tongue,--'is there--no middle course? Charles Dickens. Oliver Twist.
- I thought, my father, said Lucie, excusing herself, with a pale face and in a faltering voice, that I heard strange feet upon the stairs. Charles Dickens. A Tale of Two Cities.
- Remember, I leave Maurice in your hands, Mr Crispin, he said in a faltering voice; he is very dear to me, and you must protect him from all danger. Fergus Hume. The Island of Fantasy.
- You have guessed right, dear lady, she said, with a sweet simple faltering voice. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- She left me abruptly, her naturally firm voice faltering as she spoke those last words. Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White.
- He falters an awkward excuse or two for his failure. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- The culprit falters excuses, and professes a determination to do better tomorrow. Charles Dickens. David Copperfield.
- The pen falters in my hand. Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White.
- My Lady reclines in her chair composedly, though with a trifle less of graceful ease than usual perhaps, and never falters in her steady gaze. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- Richard told me-- He falters. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- The trooper falters and looks at him. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- She falters, trembles, and puts her hand confusedly to her head. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
Edited by Angus