wa|ver

wav|er¹ «WAY vuhr», noun.

a person or thing that waves.

wa|ver² «WAY vuhr», verb, noun.

–v.i.

1. to move to and fro; flutter.

2. to vary in intensity; flicker: »

a wavering light.

3. to grow fainter, then louder, or change pitch up and down fairly quickly; quaver, tremble, or pulsate: »

a wavering voice.

4. a) to be undecided; hesitate: »

Her choice wavered between the blue dress and the green one.

SYNONYM(S): See syn. under hesitate. (Cf. ↑hesitate) b) to be undermined by doubt: »

My courage wavered.

SYNONYM(S): See syn. under hesitate. (Cf. ↑hesitate)

5. to become unsteady; begin to give way: »

The battle line wavered and broke.

6. Obsolete. to wander about; rove.

–n.

the act of wavering.

╂[perhaps < wave, verb + -er⁶. Compare Old English wæfre unsteady.]

–wa´ver|er, noun.

–wa´ver|ing|ly, adverb.