Defn: A member of the highest rank of nobility in Germany and
Austria, corresponding to the British duke.
HESITANCY
Hes"i*tan*cy, n. Etym: [L. haesitantia a stammering.]
1. The act of hesitating, or pausing to consider; slowness in deciding; vacillation; also, the manner of one who hesitates.
2. A stammering; a faltering in speech.
HESITANT Hes"i*tant, a. Etym: [L. haesitans, p. pr. of haesitare: cf. F. hésitant. See Hesitate.]
1. Not prompt in deciding or acting; hesitating.
2. Unready in speech. Baxter.
HESITANTLY
Hes"i*tant*ly, adv.
Defn: With hesitancy or doubt.
HESITATE
Hes"i*tate, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Hesitated; p. pr. & vb. n.
Hesitating.] Etym: [L. haesitatus, p. p. of haesitare, intens. fr.
haerere to hesitate, stick fast; to hang or hold fast. Cf. Aghast,
Gaze, Adhere.]