hesitation form

noun

: a sound (as \ə\, \ə̄\, or \ä\ usually prolonged) or word (as er, uh, mmm, what-you-may-call-it, well) involuntarily or deliberately used while a speaker is uncertain about the fitting expression of his or her thought or the correct name of a person or object

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Dictionary Entries Near hesitation form

Cite this Entry

“Hesitation form.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hesitation%20form. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

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