prehesitate

verb (used without object), hes·i·tat·ed, hes·i·tat·ing.

to be reluctant or wait to act because of fear, indecision, or disinclination: She hesitated to take the job.

to have scruples or doubts; be unwilling: He hesitated to break the law.

to pause: I hesitated before reciting the next line.

to falter in speech; stammer: Embarrassment caused the speaker to hesitate.

Origin:
1615–25; < Latin haesitātus, past participle of haesitāre. See hesitant, -ate¹

Related forms

hes·i·tat·er, hes·i·ta·tor, noun

hes·i·tat·ing·ly, adverb

pre·hes·i·tate, verb (used without object), pre·hes·i·tat·ed, pre·hes·i·tat·ing.

Synonyms
1. waver, vacillate, falter. 3. demur, delay.

Antonyms
1. decide. 3. hasten.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Link To prehesitate

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Collins

World English Dictionary

hesitate (ˈhɛzɪˌteɪt)

—vb
1.	to hold back or be slow in acting; be uncertain
2.	to be unwilling or reluctant (to do something)
3.	to stammer or pause in speaking

[C17: from Latin haesitāre, from haerēre to cling to]

'hesitater

—n

'hesitator

—n

'hesitatingly

—*adv*

hesi'tation

—n

'hesitative

—*adj*

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline

Word Origin & History

hesitate

1620s, from L. haesitatum, pp. of haesitare (see hesitation).

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