mental reservation

noun

1. an unexpressed doubt or qualification about a situation, person, etc.

mental reservation

noun

1. a tacit withholding of full assent or an unexpressed qualification made when one is taking an oath, making a statement, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of mental reservation¹

First recorded in 1600–10

Example Sentences

Seven times, Graham has taken the oath of congressional office, ‘solemnly’ swearing to ‘support and defend the Constitution’ and to ‘bear true faith and allegiance’ to it, ‘without any mental reservation’,” Will charged.

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Seven times, Graham has taken the oath of congressional office, “solemnly” swearing to “support and defend the Constitution” and to “bear true faith and allegiance” to it, “without any mental reservation.”

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Do constant pressures to resign, to chasten the president, to speak up in criticism constitute mental reservations?

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They promise to take these obligations “freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God.”

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“Humor is out of place in this discussion. If you’ll make an honest agreement to die, with no mental reservations—”

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