English Explanatory Dictionary

vacillate

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To sway unsteadily from one side to the other; oscillate.
  2. To swing indecisively from one course of action or opinion to another.

Pronunciation

/ˈvæ.sə.leɪt/ /ˈvæ.sɪ.leɪt/ en-us-vacillate.ogg

Word forms

vacillate vacillates vacillating vacillated

Etymology

From Latin vacillātum, supine form of vacillō (“sway, waver”). By surface analysis, Latin vacill- + -ate.

Synonyms

stagger blow hot and cold waffle

Related words

vacillant vacillating vacillation vacillator vacillatory
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