Added 9 October 2026
hesitation
/ˌhɛzɪˈteɪʃən/ noun
In Latin: cunctātiō, haesitātiō Wiktionary
noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about hesitation at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
- Indecision in speech or action.
-
A certain degree of unwillingness.
a reluctance to commit himself
-
The act of pausing uncertainly.
there was a hesitation in his speech
Origin
From Latin haesitātiōnem, accusative singular of haesitātiō (“hesitating, stammering”), from haesitō (“hesitate”). Displaced native Old English ġewand.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)