To keep lingering about; wait near at hand; move about waveringly, cautiously, or hesitatingly; go to and fro near or about a place or an object.To hang fluttering in the air, as a bird or an insect while seeking food or a place to alight; linger over or about a place or an object.To be in an indeterminate or irresolute state; stand in suspense or expectation; waver as to a decision or a result: as, a patient hovering between life and death; a mind hovering on the verge of madness.To protect or shelter; cover with the wings and body: said of a brooding fowl: as, a hen with more chickens than she can hover.n. A protection or shelter.n. In prosody, a foot consisting of mere accentual place.n. Same as hoverer.