Crossword Genius

With hesitation decline (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

wither

'decline' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'with hesitation' is the wordplay.
'hesitation' becomes 'er' (sound made while hesitating - um, er).
'with'+'er'='WITHER'

(Other definitions for wither that I've seen before include "Turn dry and shrivelled" , "decline" , "Shrink, shrivel up" , "Become dry and shrivel" , "Dry up, become shrivelled" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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