falter

名词 falter:

1. the act of pausing uncertainly
   同义词：hesitation, waver, faltering

动词 falter:

1. be unsure or weak
   同义词：waver
2. move hesitatingly, as if about to give way
   同义词：waver
3. walk unsteadily
   同义词：stumble, bumble
4. speak haltingly
   同义词：bumble, stutter, stammer

1. I faltered for a while and was still unable to make a decision.
   我踌躇了一阵，还是无法做决定。
2. The business faltered and then failed.
   商行生意衰退，最后倒闭了。
3. The sick man faltered a few steps and then fell.
   这个病人摇摇晃晃地走了几步，然后就跌倒了。

fal.ter

v.intr.（不及物动词）
fal.tered,fal.ter.ing,fal.ters
To be unsteady in purpose or action, as from loss of courage or confidence; waver.See Synonyms at hesitate
胆怯：意向或行动上的不坚定，如由于失去勇气或信心；动摇参见 hesitate
To speak hesitatingly; stammer.
讲话犹豫；支吾地讲话

To move ineptly or haltingly; stumble.
步伐踉跄；蹒跚
To operate or perform unsteadily or with a loss of effectiveness:
失效：由于失去效力而运行不稳固：
例句：
The automobile engine faltered.
自动引擎运转不正常

n.（名词）
Unsteadiness in speech or action.
支吾：言语或行动的犹豫
A faltering sound.
发颤的声音

来源：
Middle English falteren [to stagger]
中古英语 falteren [蹒跚]
possibly from Old Norse faltrask [to be puzzled, hesitate]
可能源自 古斯堪的纳维亚语 faltrask [被迷惑，犹豫]

【引伸】
fal.terer
n.（名词）
fal.teringly
adv.（副词）