hesitancyn.
/ˈhɛzɪtənsi/ The quality or condition of hesitating; indecision, vacillation; an instance of this.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > [noun]
studyinglOE
orrathnessc1175
doubta1225
balance1297
were1303
doubtancec1325
unsickernessc1340
wilsomenessa1400
wonda1400
scriple?a1425
ambiguityc1425
diswerec1440
dubitationc1450
variation?1473
incertainty1483
doubting1486
doubtfulness1526
scrupulousness1526
scruple1548
uncertainty1548
disputation1549
irresolution1592
swithering1597
hesitance1601
incertitude1601
unpersuadedness1612
inassurance1614
hesitancy1617
unsettledness1619
hesitation1622
unsatisfaction1643
unsatisfiedness1646
dubitancy1649
insecurity1649
dispersuasion1653
unassuredness1660
scrupling1665
unconfidencea1670
swither1719
dubietyc1750
mank1808
suspense1816
dubitating1837
doubtingness1840
the mind > will > decision > irresolution or vacillation > [noun]
yea-and-nayc1384
vacillationc1400
titteringa1413
stackeringc1440
wondingc1440
fluctuationc1450
waver1519
mammering1532
uncertainty1548
wavering1548
to and fro1553
suspense1560
staggering1565
suspension1568
mammery1578
demur1581
branle1591
dilly-dally1592
hesitance1601
irresolution1601
uncertainness1601
undecision1611
waveringness1614
hesitancy1617
unsettledness1619
hesitation1622
unresolvednessa1626
doubleness of minda1628
wavinga1628
swagging1636
poise1637
mambling1640
stickagea1647
vacillancy1668
whifflinga1677
hovering1679
unresolve1679
irresoluteness1686
shilly-shally1755
indecisiona1763
undecisiveness1779
indecisiveness1793
oscillation1798
flexility1815
shilly-shallying1842
swaying1850
Hamletism1852
teeter1855
havering1866
off and on1875
dilly-dallying1879
double-mindedness1881
hesitatingness1890
dither1958
the mind > will > decision > irresolution or vacillation > [noun] > instance of
fluctuationc1450
vary1600
irresolution1601
staggera1616
hesitancy1617
branling1646
volo-nola1672
unresolve1679
1617 J. Hales Serm. Oxf. 1 It brought..a preservation against all doubt and hesitancy.
1656 P. Heylyn Surv. Estate France 155 Without the least demure or haesitancie.
1768 A. Tucker Light of Nature Pursued I. i. 168 Such hesitancies as these are weeds of the richest soils.
1886 E. Lynn Linton Paston Carew I. xii. 219 That perpetual hesitancy which belongs to people whose intelligence and temperament are at variance.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1898; most recently modified version published online March 2021).
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