Diffidence and Pause

noun

• Lack of self-confidence.
  • synonyms: self-doubt, self-distrust

• (n.) Distrust of one's self or one's own powers; lack of self-reliance; modesty; modest reserve; bashfulness.
• (n.) The state of being diffident; distrust; want of confidence; doubt of the power, ability or disposition of others.

noun

• A time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something.
  • synonyms: intermission, break, interruption, suspension
• Temporary inactivity.

verb

• Interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing.
  • usage: "The speaker paused"
  • synonyms: hesitate
• Cease an action temporarily.
  • usage: "We pause for station identification"; "let's break for lunch"
  • synonyms: intermit, break

• (n.) A break or paragraph in writing.
• (n.) To stop in order to consider; hence, to consider; to reflect.
• (n.) In writing and printing, a mark indicating the place and nature of an arrest of voice in reading; a punctuation point; as, teach the pupil to mind the pauses.
• (v.t.) To cause to stop or rest; -- used reflexively.
• (n.) A temporary stop or rest; an intermission of action; interruption; suspension; cessation.
• (n.) To make a short stop; to cease for a time; to intermit speaking or acting; to stop; to wait; to rest.
• (n.) To be intermitted; to cease; as, the music pauses.
• (n.) To hesitate; to hold back; to delay.
• (n.) In speaking or reading aloud, a brief arrest or suspension of voice, to indicate the limits and relations of sentences and their parts.
• (n.) A hold. See 4th Hold, 7.
• (n.) Temporary inaction or waiting; hesitation; suspence; doubt.