indecisiveness
Meaning
the state of being unable to make a choice quickly and effectively
the quality of not being clear or definite
Structure
Usage
his chronic indecisiveness made planning the project extremely difficult.
the report was criticized for its indecisiveness and lack of clear recommendations.
she overcame her indecisiveness by making a list of pros and cons for each option.
Etymology
the word 'indecisiveness' is built upon the latin verb decidere, meaning 'to cut off' or 'to settle'. this literal sense of cutting through ambiguity evolved into the abstract meaning of making a final judgment. the prefix in- negates this capacity, creating 'indecisive' to describe someone or something lacking resolution. finally, the old english suffix -ness is appended to form the noun, encapsulating the abstract state or quality of being unable to settle on a choice.
Analysis
in- (latin origin, a prefix meaning 'not'); decisive (from latin decisivus, from decidere meaning 'to decide', functioning as the core adjective); -ness (old english suffix, forming nouns indicating a state or quality)