Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition

{

, }

adv.

[A reduplication of

shall I

In an irresolute, undecided, or hesitating manner.

I am somewhat dainty in making a resolution, because when I make it, I keep it; I don’t stand

shill-I-shall-I

then; if I say 't, I'll do 't.

Congreve.

Verb.

To hesitate; to act in an irresolute manner; hence, to occupy one's self with trifles.

Noun.

Irresolution; hesitation; also, occupation with trifles.

She lost not one of her forty-five minutes in picking and choosing

, –

no shilly-shally

in Kate.

De Quincey.

Noun.

Foolish trifling; irresolution. [Vulgar.] [This word has probably been written shill-I shall-I, from an ignorance of its origin.]