0 past simple and past participle of hesitate
1 to pause before you do or say something, often because you are uncertain or nervous about it:
Many unscrupulous companies haven't hesitated to imitate the shape of the bottle and the label.
She stopped at the edge of the circle and hesitated, realizing evidently that she had come too late for the feeding.
Perhaps he hesitated to reuse a composition that had not only been performed but also reviewed.
Conservatives hesitated to co-operate with a movement that attacked ' reactionaries'.
If they hesitated, perhaps looking for words to express their thoughts, they were encouraged to explain them further.
At the same time, it is clear, however, that he hesitated to wholeheartedly subscribe to unproved views.
If they hesitated they were given encouragement, and the question was repeated if they answered incorrectly.
If he hesitated, or the action failed, he could be accused of surrendering to government pressure.
