If you speak or do something in a halting way, you speak or do it slowly and with a lot of hesitation, usually because you are uncertain about what to say or do next. In a halting voice she said that she wished to make a statement.

Are you halting meaning?

/ˈhɑːl.t̬ɪŋ/ stopping often while you are saying or doing something, especially because you are nervous: He spoke quietly, in halting English. Moving unsteadily or with difficulty. blunder.

What does contritely mean?

: feeling or showing sorrow and remorse for a sin or shortcoming a contrite criminal a contrite apology contrite sighs.