reluctant

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   not eager

   foreigners stubbornly reluctant to accept our ways

2. 2
   adj

   disinclined to become involved

   they were usually reluctant to socialize

3. 3
   adj

   unwillingness to do something contrary to your custom

   a reluctant smile

4. 4
   adj

   Not wanting to take some action; unwilling to do something.

   She was reluctant to lend him the money

5. 5
   adj

   Contrary; defiant; refractory.

   Whence we must infer, that the least stir of tumult or rebellion against the Prince is reluctant to all the Ordinances of Heaven, is an abortive product of Hell against the pure dictates of nature […]

6. 6
   adj

   Tending to match as little text as possible.

Etymology

Learned borrowing from Latin reluctāns, present participle of reluctor (“to struggle against, oppose, resist”), from re- (“back”) + luctor (“to struggle”).