reluctance

Noun
US[rih-luhk-tuhns]/rɪˈlʌktəns/3 syllablesalso [ree-luhk-tuhns] /riˈlʌktəns/

Open English WordNet

Noun (2)

  1. (physics) opposition to magnetic flux (analogous to electric resistance)Type of electrical phenomenon
  2. a certain degree of unwillingness“a reluctance to commit himself”“his hesitancy revealed his basic indisposition”“after some hesitation he agreed”Synonyms: hesitancyhesitationdisinclinationindispositionType of unwillingness, involuntarinessKinds sloth, slothfulness
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incessantadjective

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Webster's Dictionary (1913)

Re·luc′tance (r?-l?k′tans), Re·luc′tan·cy (-tan-s?) noun

Origin: See Reluctant.

1. The state or quality of being reluctant; repugnance; aversion of mind; unwillingness; — often followed by an infinitive, or by to and a noun, formerly sometimes by against. “Tempering the severity of his looks with a reluctance to the action.” John Dryden Synonyms: See Dislike.

He had some reluctance to obey the summons.— Sir Walter Scott
Bear witness, Heaven, with what reluctancy Her helpless innocence I doom to die.— John Dryden

2. Electricity Magnetic resistance, being equal to the ratio of magnetomotive force to magnetic flux.

Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54 · with additions: 1913 supplement

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