hesitation

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the act of pausing uncertainly

   There was a hesitation in their speech.

2. 2
   noun

   Doubt; vacillation.

   She carried out the order without hesitation.

3. 3
   noun

   a certain degree of unwillingness

4. 4
   noun

   indecision in speech or action

5. 5
   noun

   An act of hesitating

6. 6
   noun

   A faltering in speech; stammering.

Etymology

Etymology tree Latin haereō Proto-Indo-European *-h₂ Proto-Indo-European *-éh₂ Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *-eh₂yéti Proto-Italic *-āō Latin -ō Latin -tō ▲ Latin -tō Latin -itō Latin -titō Latin haesitō Proto-Indo-European *-tisder. Proto-Italic *-tjō Latin -tiō Latin haesitātiōbor. English hesitation From Latin haesitātiōnem, accusative singular of haesitātiō (“hesitating, stammering”), from haesitō (“hesitate”). Displaced native Old English ġewand.