hover
UK: ˈhɒvə | US: ˈhʌvər
vi. to remain suspended in the air without moving in any direction
vi. to linger close to a place or person, often uncertainly
vt. to cause (an aircraft or drone) to stay in one place in the air
The word "hover" traces back to Middle English hoveren, likely derived from Old English hofian (to linger, wait). The root hov- is linked to the idea of suspension or floating, possibly influenced by Old Norse hafra (to hover). The -er suffix here reinforces the verb form. Over time, "hover" evolved from describing physical suspension (e.g., birds hovering) to metaphorical lingering (e.g., uncertainty). The modern sense of aircraft/drone hovering emerged with technological advancements.
The hummingbird can hover effortlessly while feeding.
Dark clouds hovered over the city before the storm.
She hovered near the door, unsure whether to enter.
The drone hovered at 100 meters to capture aerial footage.
Anxiety hovered in his mind throughout the interview.