1. It is the state of being reluctant or in other words unwillingness. 2. Physics. A measure of the opposition to magnetic flux, analogous to electric resistance.
resistance vs. reluctance.
Better nuances are doubtless available via the Oxford English Dictionary, and in some cases of common usage they're probably almost interchangeable. But there is a real...
I answered this question with great reluctance.You can use it as an adverb, too.I reluctantly answered this question.His reluctance to answer the awkward question rewarded him with an interruption...