US /ˈhɛzɪtənsi/ UK /ˈhɛzɪtənsi/
noun

Meanings

  1. 1
    noun

    reluctance or uncertainty about acting or speaking

    There was a marked hesitancy in his reply that betrayed his doubt.

Thesaurus

Etymology

From Latin haesitantia ('a sticking, hesitation'), from haesitare ('to be undecided'), frequentative of haerere ('to cling, stick'), + the English suffix -cy.

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