waver

English

/ˈweɪ.və(ɹ)/, /ˈweɪ.vɚ/

verb
Definitions
  • (intransitive) To sway back and forth; to totter or reel.
  • (intransitive) To flicker, glimmer, quiver, as a weak light.
  • (intransitive) To fluctuate or vary, as commodity prices or a poorly sustained musical pitch.
  • (intransitive) To shake or tremble, as the hands or voice.
  • (intransitive) To falter; become unsteady; begin to fail or give way.
  • (intransitive) To be indecisive between choices; to feel or show doubt or indecision; to vacillate.

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English waveren borrowed from Old Norse vafra (flicker).

Origin

Old Norse

vafra

Gloss

flicker

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms