The word "falteringly" is spelled as /ˈfɔːltərɪŋli/, with the stress on the second syllable. The "f" is followed by the "a" sound as in "fall," followed by the "l" and "t" consonants. The second syllable starts with an "er" sound as in "herd," and it ends with an "ing" sound as in "singing." The final syllable starts with an "li" sound as in "lee" and adds the "ng" sound at the end. The word means to speak or act in an uncertain or unsteady way.
Falteringly is an adverb that describes the manner in which an action or speech is performed with hesitation, uncertainty, or unsteadiness. It refers to the act of faltering, which involves stumbling or wavering in one's words, actions, or beliefs.
In terms of speech, falteringly describes someone speaking in a manner that is hesitant or with pauses, indicating a lack of confidence or insecurity. For example, a person may speak falteringly when they are nervous, unsure of the right words to say, or lacking conviction in their statements. This can manifest as stutters, pauses, or repetitions in their speech.
In actions, falteringly refers to performing tasks or movements with unsteadiness or lack of confidence. It suggests a hesitant or tentative approach, often due to fear, lack of experience, or doubt. For instance, someone might walk falteringly when they are uncertain of their steps or unsure about the path ahead.
Falteringly can also describe a person's beliefs or convictions when they are wavering or uncertain. It implies a lack of steadfastness or resolve, suggesting that the person is unsure of their stance or lacks confidence in their beliefs.
Overall, falteringly describes a hesitant, uncertain, or unsteady manner of speaking, acting, or holding beliefs, revealing a lack of confidence, conviction, or clarity.
The word "falteringly" is derived from the verb "falter". The etymology of "falter" traces back to the Old English word "fealtian", which means "to stagger" or "to fail". It can be further linked to the Middle English word "falten" and the Old High German word "faldan", both having similar meanings. Over time, the word "falter" came to represent hesitating or stumbling in speech, action, or belief. By adding the "-ly" suffix to "falter", we get "falteringly", which means in a faltering manner or hesitantly.