Emily Dickinson Lexicon

STAG'GER, v.i. [D. staggeren. Kiliaan.]

1. To reel; to vacillate; to move to one side and the other in standing or walking; not to stand or walk with steadiness. – Boyle. Deep was the wound; he stagger'd with the blow. – Dryden.
2. To fail; to cease to stand firm; to begin to give way. The enemy staggers. – Addison.
3. To hesitate; to begin to doubt and waver in purpose; to become less confident or determined. – Shak. Abraham staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief. – Rom. iv.