[f. WAVER v.] The act or condition of wavering.
a. In physical sense, a flutter or trembling.
1826. J. Wilson, in Blackw. Mag., XX. 90. No a bit butterflee on its silent waver, meeting the murmur of the straightforward bee.
1886. Guillemard, Cruise of Marchesa, I. 137. Here and there a little gap revealed a Hobbema-like scene of sunny distance, whose clearness was unbroken by the waver of a single leaf.
1891. ‘R. Boldrewood,’ Sydney-side Sax., xii. Sitting square, without the slightest waver or tremble in her saddle.
1902. L. Merrick, When Love flies, etc., iv. 51. She sat watching the waver of the candles in the draught.
b. A condition of vacillation or faltering. † In a waver (obs.), on or upon the waver, in uncertainty or unsteadiness; inclining now this way, now that.
1519. Horman, Vulgaria, 57 b. I stande in doubte or in a wauer. Anceps sum concilii.
1806. Henry Siddons, Maid, Wife, & Widow, III. 64. His reason was on the waver.
a. 1809. J. Palmer, Like Master (1811), I. xii. 167. His regret to leave the coppers he touch’d in his present service, and his inclination to embrace the brazier’s offer, kept him upon the waver, like an ass between two bundles of hay.
1864. Sherman, Lett., 31 Dec. (1894), 241. Not a waver, doubt, or hesitation when I order, and men march to certain death without a murmur if I call on them.
1865. Mrs. H. Wood, Mildred Arkell, xlviii. ‘Does she mean to accept him?’ asked Travice. ‘Well, she’s on the waver. She does not dislike him, and she does not particularly like him.’
