haltingly

Haltingly is an adverb that denotes doing something in a hesitant, interrupted, or uncertain manner. It is commonly used to describe speech or movement that is not smooth or continuous.

Etymology: The word forms from the adjective halting, meaning characterized by pauses or stoppages, plus the adverbial suffix -ly. The construction is typical of English, yielding an adverb that describes the manner of an action.

Usage: In narrative writing it conveys nervousness, doubt, or reluctance. When applied to speech, haltingly signals false starts, long pauses, or words spoken with difficulty; applied to movement, it suggests unsteady or labored steps. Examples include: "She spoke haltingly, choosing each word carefully." and "They climbed the stairs haltingly, each step proving painful." The term can emphasize emotion as well as physical constraint, helping to create a particular mood or characterization.

Nuance and related terms: Haltingly implies more than a slow pace; it indicates hesitation or struggle in the act described. It is related to hesitant, faltering, stammer, and stumble, and it contrasts with fluently or confidently in describing performance or speech.