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vaciller

to waver, to flicker

verb vah-see-YAY Rare
Body & Health Movement

Origin: Latin vacillare (to sway)

Also means

to totter, to falter

Usage Note

Vaciller applies to physical unsteadiness (a flame, a person about to faint) and to figurative wavering (resolve, memory). La flamme vacille captures the literal use, while sa foi vacillait shows the extended sense. It does not take a direct object.

Examples

"La flamme vacille dans le vent."

Natural Translation

The flame flickers in the wind.

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