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# waver

verb (waver, wavers, wavered, wavering)

«waver» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. To be unsure and keep changing your mind; to hesitate: she wavered between the red and the blue. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/waver/#m1)
2. To become weaker or less steady: his courage wavered. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/waver/#m2)
3. To move or shake unsteadily: the candle flame wavered. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/waver/#m3)
4. Of a voice: to shake. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/waver/#m4)

### In the lessons

Used in stories to show doubt or fear: the hero's courage wavers. Everyday: wavering between choices. Values: «unwavering» loyalty. Science: a flame wavers in a draught. Toad's good promises always waver when he sees a motor car.

### Examples

- She wavered between the two puppies. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/waver/#x1)
- His voice wavered as he spoke. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/waver/#x2)
- Toad's good resolutions wavered at the sound of a horn. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/waver/#x3)
- The candle flame wavered in the wind. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/waver/#x4)
- Her courage never wavered. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/waver/#x5)
- He wavered at the edge of the diving board. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/waver/#x6)
- But the prince did not waver, and declared he would abide by his words. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/waver/#x7)

### Note

Regular verb: wavered, wavering. Homophone trap: waver (to hesitate) and waiver (giving up a right, in law). Adjective: unwavering = steady, never doubting.

## In Jewish tradition

To waver is to doubt or slip in loyalty to God. The psalmist claims to trust God without wavering.

**Interpretation.** Tradition values steady faith and loyalty, and the prophet's call is to return to God without turning back and forth.

### Examples

- Judge me, O LORD, for I have walked in mine integrity, and I have trusted in the LORD without wavering. (Writings PSA.26.1, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/W/waver/#x1)
- If thou wilt return, O Israel, saith the LORD, yea, return unto Me; and if thou wilt put away thy detestable things out of My sight, and wilt not waver; (Prophets JER.4.1, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/W/waver/#x2)

### Note

Regular verb: wavered, wavering. Homophone trap: waver (to hesitate) and waiver (giving up a right, in law). Adjective: unwavering = steady, never doubting.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «waver» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/waver/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«waver» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/waver.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «waver» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/W/waver/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«waver» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/waver.html) on Mova free.