In the case, criminal is wavering (9)

I believe the answer is:

hesitance

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'wavering' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't see how one could define the other.

'in the case criminal' is the wordplay.
'criminal' indicates an anagram.
'in'+'the'+'case'='inthecase'
'inthecase' is an anagram of 'HESITANCE'.

'is' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for hesitance that I've seen before include "Diffidence" , "Slowness to speak" , "Wavering, delay" , "Doubt" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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