reluctant: a world of words

Reluctant: adj: unwilling and hesitant; disinclined

Origin: mid 17th century (in the sense 'writhing, offering opposition'): from Latin reluctant- 'struggling against', from the verbreluctari, from re- (expressing intensive force) + luctari 'to struggle'

Cautious: adj: careful to avoid potential problems or dangers

Origin: mid 17th century: from  caution, on the pattern of pairs such as ambition, ambitious

Demur: v: raise doubts or objections or show reluctance

Origin: Middle English (in the sense 'linger, delay'): from Old French demourer (verb), demeure (noun), based on Latin de- 'away, completely' + morari 'delay'

Hesitant: adj: tentative, unsure, or slow in acting or speaking\

Origin: late Middle English: from Latin haesitant- 'being undecided', from the verb haesitare

Recalcitrant: adj: having an obstinately uncooperative attitude toward authority or discipline

Origin: mid 19th century: from Latin recalcitrant- 'kicking out with the heels', from the verb recalcitrare, based on calx, calc- 'heel'

Unwilling: adj: not ready, eager, or prepared to do something

Origin: Old English unwillende

Wary: adj: feeling or showing caution about possible dangers or problems

Origin: late 15th century: from  ware +  -y


Afraid: adj: feeling fear or anxiety; frightened
Origin: Middle English: past participle of the obsolete verb affray, from Anglo-Norman French afrayer 


Averse: adj: having a strong dislike of or opposition to something
Origin: late 16th century: from Latin aversus 'turned away from', past participle of avertere


Opposed: adj: eager to prevent or put an end to; disapproving of or disagreeing with
Origin: 1350–1400; from oppositiōn- opposit + -iōn