cunctation

plural cunctations

1. countableobsoleteuncountableDelay, hesitation, procrastination.

   The swiftest animal conjoined with a heavy body implies that common moral, festina lente; and that celerity should always be contempered with cunctation.

   1646, Sir Thomas Browne, Pseudodoxia Epidemica, Folio Society, published 2007, page 428

   1 more example

   And lest any man should think her intent was to unnestle ill neighbours, and not to aid good neighbours, or that she was readier to restore what was invaded by others than to render what was in her own hands; see if the time provided not a new occasion afterwards, when through their own division, without the intermise of strangers, her forces were again sought and required; she forsook them not, prevailed so far as to be possessed of the castle of Edinburgh, the principal strength of that kingdom, with peace, incontinently, without cunctations or cavillations, the preambles of a wavering faith, she rendered with all honour and security; and his person to safe and faithful hands; and so ever after during his minority continued his principal guardian and protector.

   a. 1603, Francis Bacon, Discourse in the Praise of Queen Elizabeth

   Synonyms: dilation, hold-up