hesitate-v; 2 Senses

Sense Number 1: hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness

Commentary: Syntax Is: NP1[agent] HESITATE [predicate]
NOTE: Use this sense only where HESITATE is followed by an infinitival verb. Observe examples below.

Examples:
Authorities hesitate to quote exact figures.
The FBI won't hesitate to act.
Do you hesitate to buy what you like?
Neighbors hesitated to call the police.

Mappings:
VerbNet: NM
FrameNet: NP
PropBank: hesitate.01
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 1

Sense Number 2: interrupt temporarily an activity

Commentary: Syntax Is: NP1 HESITATE (PP)
NOTE: Compare to Sense 1: Sense 2 is used where HESITATE is not followed by an infinitival verb, but rather an optional PP.

Examples:
He hesitated before giving Slavin the knock-out blow.
As he pulled towards a green light, he hesitated, then decided to speed up.

Mappings:
VerbNet: linger-53.1
FrameNet: NP
PropBank: hesitate.01
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 2