Meanings
plural reluctations
- countableobsoleteuncountableResistance, struggle.First known use 16th–19th c.
The prerogative of God extendeth as well to the reason as to the will of man ; so that as we are to obey his law though we find a reluctation in our will , so we are to believe his word
1605, Francis Bacon, “(please specify |book=1 or 2)”, in The Twoo Bookes of Francis Bacon. Of the Proficience and Aduancement of Learning, Diuine and Humane, London: […] [Thomas Purfoot and Thomas Creede] for Henrie Tomes, […], →OCLC - archaiccountableuncountableReluctance, unwillingness.First known use 16th c.
But the very next day, by an unreasoning impulse to which he yielded almost mechanically, without reluctation, he found himself seated before the misty orb.
1933, Clark Ashton Smith, Ubbo-Sathla
Origin
- Latinreluctārī
- Late Latinreluctatio
- Englishreluctation
From (the stem of) Late Latin reluctatio, from the participle stem of Latin reluctārī.
More words from Late Latin, Latin
Full word history & related roots →Cite this entry
reluctation. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/reluctation
“reluctation.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/reluctation. Accessed November 3, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “reluctation,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/reluctation.
Source: reluctation on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.