vacillation
[vas-uh-ley-shuh n]
- an act or instance of vacillating.
- a state of indecision or irresolution.
- unsteady movement; fluctuation.
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Origin of vacillation
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for vacillation
Contemporary Examples
He also could blame the downturn on the vacillation of authorities—and politics.
At the Pentagon, which bears the brunt of much of this hesitation and vacillation, the mood is one of not-so-quiet desperation.
Paul Krugman of The New York Times is convinced that the president's weakness and vacillation are to blame.
Historical Examples
Is the stamp of fear and vacillation to be on every act of our lives?
Tom Burke Of "Ours", Volume II (of II)Charles James Lever
In spite of his vacillation, her uncle was deeply attached to her.
Nan of Music MountainFrank H. Spearman
But, in truth, Sir Harry's blackness was still the result of vacillation.
Sir Harry Hotspur of HumblethwaiteAnthony Trollope
I observe, too, a vacillation in your step—a joyous inquietude in your eyes.
The Works of Edgar Allan PoeEdgar Allan Poe
Vacillation of the inhabitants of the village between the two parties.
DemetriusFriedrich Schiller
Word Origin and History for vacillation
n.
c.1400, from Latin vacillationem (nominative vacillatio) "a reeling, wavering," noun of action from past participle stem of vacillare "sway to and fro." Originally in reference to opinion or conduct; literal sense is recorded from 1630s.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper