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tentative

 - 3 dictionary results

ten⋅ta⋅tive

  [ten-tuh-tiv]
Use tentative in a Sentence
–adjective
1. of the nature of or made or done as a trial, experiment, or attempt; experimental: a tentative report on her findings.
2. unsure; uncertain; not definite or positive; hesitant: a tentative smile on his face.
Origin:
1580–90; < ML tentātīvus, equiv. to L tentāt(us) (ptp. of tentāre, var. of temptāre to test; see tempt ) + -īvus -ive

Related forms:
ten⋅ta⋅tive⋅ly, adverb
ten⋅ta⋅tive⋅ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To tentative
ten·ta·tive   (těn'tə-tĭv)   
adj.  

  1. Not fully worked out, concluded, or agreed on; provisional: tentative plans.

  2. Uncertain; hesitant.


[Medieval Latin tentātīvus, from Latin tentātus, past participle of tentāre, to try, variant of temptāre.]
ten'ta·tive·ly adv., ten'ta·tive·ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

tentative 
1588, from M.L. tentativus "trying, testing," from L. tentatus, pp. of tentare "to feel, try," (variant of temptare "to feel, try, test").
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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