cunctation
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of cunctation
First recorded in 1575–85; from Latin cunctātiōn- (stem of cunctātiō ) “delay,” equivalent to cunctāt(us) (past participle of cunctārī “to delay”) + -iōn- noun suffix; see -ion
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Strive not to run, like Hercules, a furlong in a breath: festination may prove precipitation; deliberating delay may be wise cunctation, and slowness no slothfulness.
From Library of the World's Best Literature, Ancient and Modern — Volume 6 by Mabie, Hamilton Wright
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
