waver

Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word waver. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word waver, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say waver in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word waver you have here. The definition of the word waver will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition ofwaver, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
See also: Waver

English

Etymology

From Middle English waveren, from Old Norse vafra (to flicker), akin to Old English wǣfre (restless, wavering). Related to wave.

Pronunciation

Verb

waver (third-person singular simple present wavers, present participle wavering, simple past and past participle wavered)

  1. (intransitive) To sway back and forth; to totter or reel.
    Flowers wavered in the breeze.
  2. (intransitive) To flicker, glimmer, quiver, as a weak light.
  3. (intransitive) To fluctuate or vary, as commodity prices or a poorly sustained musical pitch.
  4. (intransitive) To shake or tremble, as the hands or voice.
    His voice wavered when the reporter brought up the controversial topic.
  5. (intransitive) To falter; become unsteady; begin to fail or give way.
    • 1903, Bill Arp, From the Uncivil War to Date:
      ...and that when a man was in the wrong his courage wavered, and his nerves became unsteady, and so he couldn't fight to advantage and was easily overcome.
    • 2014 March 9, Jacob Steinberg, “Wigan shock Manchester City in FA Cup again to reach semi-finals”, in The Guardian:
      Although they believe they can overhaul their 2-0 deficit, they cannot afford to be as lethargic as this at Camp Nou, and the time is surely approaching when Manuel Pellegrini's faith in Martín Demichelis wavers.
  6. (intransitive) To be indecisive between choices; to feel or show doubt or indecision; to vacillate.
    Despite all the terrible things that happened to her, she never wavered from her beliefs.
    • 2012, BioWare, Mass Effect 3: From Ashes (Science Fiction), Redwood City: Electronic Arts, PC, scene: Earth (Priority: Earth):
      Javik: Do not waver. Victory is never won without difficult choices.
      Shepard: I'll do whatever it takes. I didn't come this far to back down.

Derived terms

Related terms

Translations

Noun

waver (plural wavers)

  1. An act of wavering, vacillating, etc.
  2. Someone who waves, enjoys waving, etc.
    I felt encouraged by all the enthusiastic wavers in the crowd.
    The Fourth of July brings out all the flag wavers.
    Johnny is such a little waver; everyone who passes by receives his preferred greeting.
  3. Someone who specializes in waving (hair treatment).
  4. A tool that accomplishes hair waving.
  5. (UK, dialect, dated) A sapling left standing in a fallen wood.
    • 1813, John Farey, General View of the Agriculture and Minerals of Derbyshire:
      50 to 80 Wavers or Saplings, on each acre

Translations

See also

References