hesitation
noun
[ hɛzɪˈteɪʃn ]
• the action of pausing before saying or doing something.
• "she answered without hesitation"
Similar:
pausing,
delay,
hanging back,
waiting,
shilly-shallying,
dithering,
stalling,
temporizing,
temporization,
uncertainty,
hesitancy,
hesitance,
unsureness,
doubt,
doubtfulness,
dubiousness,
irresolution,
irresoluteness,
indecision,
indecisiveness,
equivocation,
vacillation,
oscillation,
wavering,
scepticism,
nervousness,
second thoughts,
havering,
humming and hawing,
swithering,
dilly-dallying,
blowing hot and cold,
dubiety,
incertitude,
cunctation,
Origin:
early 17th century: from Latin haesitatio(n)-, from haesitare (see hesitate).
