— tentatively , adv. — tentativeness , n.
/ten"teuh tiv/ , adj.
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.
[ 1580-90; tentativus, equiv. to L tentat ( us ) (ptp. of tentare, var. of TEMPTARE to test; see TEMPT) + -ivus -IVE ]