hesitate

动词 hesitate:

1. pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness
   同义词：waver, waffle
2. interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing
   同义词：pause

1. I hesitated about taking his side until I knew the whole story.
   我在完全了解事实真相后，才打消顾虑，支持他的立场。
2. She hesitated to hurt the child's feelings.
   她不想伤害孩子的感情。

hes.i.tate

v.intr.（不及物动词）
hes.i.tat.ed,hes.i.tat.ing,hes.i.tates

To be slow to act, speak, or decide.
犹豫：行事、说话或做决定迟缓
To pause in uncertainty; waver.
停顿：在不确定中停下来；动摇
To be reluctant.
不情愿
To speak haltingly; falter.
言语支吾：说话停停顿顿；说话结结巴巴

来源：
Latin haesit3re haesit3t- [to hesitate] [frequentative of] haerôre [to hold fast]
拉丁语 haesit3re haesit3t- [犹豫] [] haerôre的重复动词 [紧紧抓住]

【引伸】
hes.itat.er
n.（名词）
hes.itat.ingly
adv.（副词）
<参考词汇><同义词>hesitate,vacillate,waver,falterThese verbs mean to be uncertain, irresolute, or indecisive.Tohesitate is to hold back or pause because of doubt or uncertainty, as about what to do or say:
这些动词意为不肯定、优柔寡断或犹豫不决。Hesitate 是指因为怀疑或不确定，如不知做什么或说什么而退缩不前或停下来：
例句：
.A President either is constantly on top of events or, if he hesitates, events will soon be on top of him. (Harry S Truman).
.一位总统要么经常地驾驭各种事件要么为事件所驾驭，如果他犹豫的话. （哈里·S·杜鲁门）。

Vacillate implies going back and forth between alternative,usually conflicting courses without making a final decision:
Vacillate 意味着在两种选择之间摇摆不定，通常为互相冲突的两种办法而不能最终做出决断：
例句：
She vacillated so long about attending the concert that when she decided to go, the tickets were sold out.
她为是否去听音乐会踌躇了很久，当她决定去时，票已售光了 。

Waver suggests a delay in taking action once a choice has been made,as if the decision were being reconsidered:
Waver 暗示着做出选择后拖延着做出实际行动，好似重新考虑决定似的：
例句：
After much wavering he finally gave his permission. Tofalter is to be unsteady in resolution or action, as from fear or loss of courage:
大费踌躇后，他最终同意了。 Falter 意为因害怕或缺乏勇气而在做决定或行动时摇摆不定：

例句：
The performer faltered in the middle of the show.
在表演中的表演者支支吾吾。

例句：
The marine never faltered in his duty.
那位海军陆战队士兵执行军务时从未犹豫不决。