Here's how to break down the change:
* Hesitate: The verb describes the act of pausing or delaying due to doubt or uncertainty.
* Hesitation: The noun refers to the state of being hesitant or the act of hesitating itself.
Think of it like this:
* Verb: "He hesitated before answering." (Describing an action)
* Noun: "His hesitation was obvious." (Describing the state of being unsure)
Therefore, the suffix "-ation" doesn't alter the core meaning of "hesitate," it simply converts it from an action to a concept or state of being.