hesitation

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A pause before doing something, usually because you are nervous or unsure.

   After a moment's hesitation, she signed the contract.

2. 2
   noun

   Unwillingness or doubt about doing something.

   She agreed to help without the slightest hesitation.

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.

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