resignation / reservation

English as a Second Language English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
1
  1. He greeted her with a resignation that looks a lot like indifference.
  2. She greeted him with a reservation bordering on hostility.
    What is the meaning for ‘resignation’ in the sentence #1?
    What meaning do you give for ‘reservation’ coming in #2 sentence?
2

He accepted her presence at that point, but was not in any way warm or gracious towards her. He didn’t appear to care that she was there.

She acted in a reserved manner towards him.

3

Beeesneees,

  1. They accepted their defeat with resignation.
  2. They accepted their defeat with a resignation.
    What is the difference in meaning between the two sentences?
4

I don’t find (2) appropriate.

In the first example, it relates to the attitude of one individual.

5

Beeesneees,

  1. He greeted her with a resignation.
  2. They accepted their defeat with a resignation.
    When #2 is wrong, how #1 is correct?
    Could you please explain to me?
6

I don’t find either appropriate without a follow-on from resignation.

7

Beeesneees,
Is this sentence OK?
“They accepted their defeat with a resignation that made them miserable.”

8

Not really, because it’s the defeat that makes them miserable.

9

Beeesneees,
I accept your logic.
Please rephrase the sentence “They accepted their defeat with a resignation.” to be accepted.

10

I cannot rephrase that without adding a phrase, as happened in the original example.

They accepted their defeat with resignation / They were resigned ot their defeat.
They accepted their defeat with a resignation honed from years of depression.
They accepted their defeat with a resignation that surpassed expectations.

11

Beeesneees,

  1. He greeted her with resignation.
    1a. He greeted her with a resignation.
  2. She greeted him with reservation.
    2a. She greeted him with a reservation.
    I believe #1 and #2 are correct while #1a and #2a are incorrect.
    Am I right?
12

I’m sorry, but you are not correct.

1a is usually incorrect. I’ve already explained as clearly as I can, with examples, that ’ a resignation’ requires an addition phrase to explain the type of resignation.
Unless he was holding some sort of physical form of resignation or verbally states that he is resigning from something, it cannot be used. (‘He greeted her with a letter of resignation’ or ‘He greeted her by verbally resigning’) This does not carry the same meaning of ‘resignation’ as the original.

In a similar way (2a) is possible, but ‘reservation’ does not mean the same as (2). It refers to a booking for an event or room.

13

Beeesneees,

  1. He greeted her with resignation.
    1a. He greeted her with a resignation.
    Please explain the meaning of each sentence.
14

I did explain, here:

a resignation - a letter of resignation; a verbal resignation, etc. where ‘resignation’ refers to the act of giving up a job or position.

with resignation - acceptance of something undesirable but inevitable,