FALTERINGLY

unsteadily, falteringly, uncertainly

(adverb) in an unsteady manner; “he walked unsteadily toward the exit”; “The wounded soldier was swinging unsteadily on his legs”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Adverb

falteringly (comparative more falteringly, superlative most falteringly)

In a faltering manner; hesitantly, making pauses

She spoke falteringly, and concluded with a heavy sigh.

Source: Wiktionary

FALTERING

Fal"ter*ing, a.

Definition: Hesitating; trembling. "With faltering speech." Milton.

– n.

Definition: Falter; halting; hesitation.

– Fal"ter*ing*ly, adv.

FALTER

Fal"ter, v. t.

Definition: To thrash in the chaff; also, to cleanse or sift, as barley. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.

Fal"ter, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Faltered; p. pr. & vb. n. Faltering.] Etym: [OE. falteren, faltren, prob. from fault. See Fault, v. & n.]

1. To hesitate; to speak brokenly or weakly; to stammer; as, his tongue falters. With faltering speech and visage incomposed. Milton.

2. To tremble; to totter; to be unsteady. "He found his legs falter." Wiseman.

3. To hesitate in purpose or action. Ere her native king Shall falter under foul rebellion's arms. Shak.

4. To fail in distinctness or regularity of exercise; -- said of the mind or of thought. Here indeed the power of disinct conception of space and distance falters. I. Taylor.

Fal"ter, v. t.

Definition: To utter with hesitation, or in a broken, trembling, or weak manner. And here he faltered forth his last farewell. Byron. Mde me most happy, faltering "I am thine." Tennyson.

Fal"ter, n. Etym: [See Falter, v. i.]

Definition: Hesitation; trembling; feebleness; an uncertain or broken sound; as, a slight falter in her voice. The falter of an idle shepherd's pipe. Lowell.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition