What does the cryptic crossword clue "Hesitate: it’s hard to be positive (5)" mean?

The definition is "Hesitate". The wordplay uses a charade (building blocks). H (synonym="hard") + AVER (synonym="affirm or declare positively=”be positive”") = HAVER; definition: "Hesitate:" The answer is HAVER.

Hesitate: it’s hard to be positive (5)

Guardian Cryptic #29339 | 12 Down | 2024-03-25 flower

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