Falter

1. (v. t.) To thrash in the chaff; also, to cleanse or sift, as barley.
2. (v. & n.) To hesitate; to speak brokenly or weakly; to stammer; as, his tongue falters.
3. (v. & n.) To tremble; to totter; to be unsteady.
4. (v. & n.) To hesitate in purpose or action.
5. (v. & n.) To fail in distinctness or regularity of exercise; -- said of the mind or of thought.
6. (v. t.) To utter with hesitation, or in a broken, trembling, or weak manner.
7. (v. i.) Hesitation; trembling; feebleness; an uncertain or broken sound; as, a slight falter in her voice.