hesitation

[ hez-i-tey-shuhn ]

/ ˌhɛz ɪˈteɪ ʃən /

the act of hesitating; a delay due to uncertainty of mind or fear: His hesitation cost him the championship.

a state of doubt or uncertainty.

a halting or faltering in speech.

Origin of hesitation

First recorded in 1615–25, hesitation is from the Latin word haesitātiōn- (stem of haesitātiō). See hesitate, -ion

2 hesitancy, indecision, irresolution, vacillation.

3 stammer.

pre·hes·i·ta·tion, noun

“Hesitation and half steps have consequences as well—and those remain to be determined,” Panetta said.

Obama’s Ex-CIA Chief Slams White House for ‘Hesitation and Half Steps’ |Josh Rogin |October 3, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
“There was a lot of hesitation from Joselito to really trust me,” Miller said.

The Man Behind Marilyn Malkovich |Justin Jones |October 2, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
The provocation is likely to end any hesitation in Britain over launching strikes against ISIS in Iraq.

ISIS Murder of British Hostage Likely to Draw UK Deeper Into New War |Nico Hines |September 13, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
With some hesitation, I spent some time viewing his material.

An ISIS Killer in His Own Awful Words |Miranda Frum |September 3, 2014 |DAILY BEAST

Then came a moment of hesitation, and Mei chimed, “Maybe just a bit.”

China’s Concubine Culture Lives On in Mistress Villages |Brendon Hong |April 14, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
With solid or crisp food there may be a good deal of hesitation and fumbling before he sets himself to masticate and swallow.

The Nervous Child |Hector Charles Cameron
He never spoke in doubt or hesitation, but with as much certainty as if his eyes had beheld the promised land.

Notable Voyagers |W.H.G. Kingston and Henry Frith
Without, therefore, a moment's hesitation, she determined to relinquish her present enterprise.

The Wanderer (Volume 3 of 5) |Fanny Burney
It has been arranged with great care and we have no hesitation in saying that it is the best book of the kind published.

The Mesmerist's Victim |Alexandre Dumas
After a moment's hesitation Kitty followed and laid her hand on the brass handle.

Under False Pretences |Adeline Sergeant