hesitant
[hez-i-tuh nt]
- hesitating; undecided, doubtful, or disinclined.
- lacking readiness of speech.
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Origin of hesitant
1640–50; < Latin haesitant- (stem of haesitāns), present participle of haesitāre to falter, hesitate, equivalent to haes(us), past participle of haerēre to stick, hold fast + -it- frequentative suffix + -ant- -ant
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for hesitant
Contemporary Examples
After some teasing and talking, Mulvehill writes that she is “hesitant” but they start kissing.
But church authorities have traditionally been hesitant to discuss controversial parts of Mormon history.
He negotiates with a hesitant Hershel who allows everyone to remain on the farm.
The Walking Dead’s Luke Skywalker: Rick Grimes Is the Perfect Modern-Day Mythical HeroRegina Lizik
October 28, 2014
Dalia is hesitant to use the label of feminist (making her no different from scores of other progressive female musicians).
The Sisterhood of Bulletproof Stockings: It’s Ladies’ Night for Hasidic RockersEmily Shire
September 30, 2014
Those that are hesitant about Powell may point to her contentious “resignation” as the first female ambassador to India in March.
Historical Examples
A hesitant, pleading call followed her, but she wouldn't hear it.
NobodyLouis Joseph Vance
He shuddered and turned back into the lobby, hesitant and wretched.
The Winning ClueJames Hay, Jr.
Helena stood preoccupied and hesitant, hardly hearing what he said, as I fancy.
The Lady and the PirateEmerson Hough
It was evidently with hesitant spirits that the Board finally acted.
Roosevelt in the Bad LandsH. Hagedorn.
But as he halted, hesitant, the sunlight fell full on his face.
The Return of Peter GrimmDavid Belasco
hesitant
- wavering, hesitating, or irresolute
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for hesitant
adj.
1640s, probably a back-formation from hesitancy, or else from Latin haesitantem. Related: Hesitantly.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper