DOUBT • FREE TRANSLATOR.ORG • Definition of Doubt

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noun

Doubt n.

A fluctuation of mind arising from defect of knowledge or evidence; uncertainty of judgment or mind; unsettled state of opinion concerning the reality of an event, or the truth of an assertion, etc.; hesitation. "Doubt is the beginning and the end of our efforts to know." "Doubt, in order to be operative in requiring an acquittal, is not the want of perfect certainty (which can never exist in any question of fact) but a defect of proof preventing a reasonable assurance of quilt."

Uncertainty of condition. "Thy life shall hang in doubt before thee."

Suspicion; fear; apprehension; dread. (Obs.) "I stand in doubt of you." "Nor slack her threatful hand for danger's doubt."

Difficulty expressed or urged for solution; point unsettled; objection. "To every doubt your answer is the same."

No doubt, undoubtedly; without doubt.

Out of doubt, beyond doubt. (Obs.)

Synonyms: Uncertainty; hesitation; suspense; indecision; irresolution; distrust; suspicion; scruple; perplexity; ambiguity; skepticism.

verb

Doubt v. t.

To question or hold questionable; to withhold assent to; to hesitate to believe, or to be inclined not to believe; to withhold confidence from; to distrust; as, I have heard the story, but I doubt the truth of it. "To admire superior sense, and doubt their own!" "I doubt not that however changed, you keep So much of what is graceful."

To doubt not but. "I do not doubt but I have been to blame." "We doubt not now But every rub is smoothed on our way." Note: That is, we have no doubt to prevent us from believing, etc. (or notwithstanding all that may be said to the contrary) but having a preventive sense, after verbs of "doubting" and "denying" that convey a notion of hindrance.

To suspect; to fear; to be apprehensive of. (Obs.) "Edmond (was a) good man and doubted God." "I doubt some foul play." "That I of doubted danger had no fear."

To fill with fear; to affright. (Obs.) "The virtues of the valiant Caratach More doubt me than all Britain."

Doubt v. i. (past & past part. doubted; pres. part. doubting)

To waver in opinion or judgment; to be in uncertainty as to belief respecting anything; to hesitate in belief; to be undecided as to the truth of the negative or the affirmative proposition; to b e undetermined. "Even in matters divine, concerning some things, we may lawfully doubt, and suspend our judgment." "To try your love and make you doubt of mine."

To suspect; to fear; to be apprehensive. (Obs.)

Synonyms: To waver; vacillate; fluctuate; hesitate; demur; scruple; question.

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Etymology of 'Doubt'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Doubt" Quotes from Famous Books

... cove, when you get to know him. Yes, yes; no doubt he has heard me speak of you—in a general way, you know. Come into my snooze-corner, and ...

— In the Year of Jubilee • George Gissing

... hurt to death," he said. "Permit my compliments to the best swordsman I have ever known." Then with a touch of sorry humour he added: "You cannot doubt their sincerity." ...

— The Judgment House • Gilbert Parker

... some fourscore years ago, it was 1837 to be precise, a party of distinguished visitors arrived in what was then the little backwoods community of Ann Arbor. The interest of the loiterers at the country tavern and the corner grocery was no doubt aroused by their coming, for Ann Arbor we may suppose was not different from other small places; and this curiosity could hardly have been lessened by the fact that the newcomers were all men who figured prominently in the affairs of the State, which had been admitted to the Union only four months ...

— The University of Michigan • Wilfred Shaw

... No doubt but that she is uneasy; she is afraid lest I should say something. She sits once more looking away, but I can see she is breathing heavily. Ah, she need have no fear; I would not trouble her with so ...

— Wanderers • Knut Hamsun

... DR. F. HARTMANN, an enlightened author of the Theosophical and Occult school, presents the mystic or Oriental view of man, in an interesting manner, deducing therefrom a philosophy of the healing art. My readers will no doubt be interested in his exposition, and, as the ancient doctrine differs materially from the results of experimental investigation, I take the liberty of incorporating my ...

— Buchanan's Journal of Man, October 1887 - Volume 1, Number 9 • Various

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