falter

== English == === Alternative forms === faulter (archaic) === Etymology === From Middle English falteren (“to stagger; be unsteady, tremble, quiver; to stammer; be entangled, get caught”), further origin unknown. Probably from a North Germanic source such as Old Norse faltrask (“to hesitate, be puzzled, be encumbered”). May also be a frequentative of fold, although the change from d to t is unusual. === Pronunciation === (UK) IPA(key): /ˈfɒltə/, /ˈfɔːltə/ (General American) IPA(key): /ˈfɔltəɹ/, [ˈfɔl.tɚ] (cot–caught merger) IPA(key): /ˈfɑltəɹ/, [ˈfɑl.tɚ] (General Australian, New Zealand) IPA(key): /ˈfɔltə/ Rhymes: -ɒltə(ɹ), -ɔːltə(ɹ) === Noun === falter (plural falters) An unsteadiness. ==== Translations ==== === Verb === falter (third-person singular simple present falters, present participle faltering, simple past and past participle faltered) To waver or be unsteady; to weaken or trail off. (ambitransitive) To stammer; to utter with hesitation, or in a weak and trembling manner. To fail in distinctness or regularity of exercise; said of the mind or of thought. To stumble. (figuratively) To lose faith or vigor; to doubt or abandon (a cause). To hesitate in purpose or action. To cleanse or sift, as barley. ==== Synonyms ==== ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ==== === References ===