doubt

v. t. 1. 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

To admire superior sense, and doubt their own! Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

I doubt not that however changed, you keep
So much of what is graceful. Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]

To doubt not but. I do not doubt but I have been to blame. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ] We doubt not now
But every rub is smoothed on our way. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] 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. E. A. Abbott. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To suspect; to fear; to be apprehensive of. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Edmond [ was a ] good man and doubted God. R. of Gloucester. [ 1913 Webster ]

I doubt some foul play. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

That I of doubted danger had no fear. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To fill with fear; to affright. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

The virtues of the valiant Caratach
More doubt me than all Britain. Beau. & Fl. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OE. dute, doute, F. doute, fr. douter to doubt. See Doubt, v. i. ] 1. 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Doubt is the beginning and the end of our efforts to know. Sir W. Hamilton. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. Wharton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Uncertainty of condition. [ 1913 Webster ]

Thy life shall hang in doubt before thee. Deut. xxviii. 66. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Suspicion; fear; apprehension; dread. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

I stand in doubt of you. Gal. iv. 20. [ 1913 Webster ]

Nor slack her threatful hand for danger's doubt. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Difficulty expressed or urged for solution; point unsettled; objection. [ 1913 Webster ]

To every doubt your answer is the same. Blackmore. [ 1913 Webster ]

No doubt, undoubtedly; without doubt. --
Out of doubt, beyond doubt. [ Obs. ] Spenser.

Syn. -- Uncertainty; hesitation; suspense; indecision; irresolution; distrust; suspicion; scruple; perplexity; ambiguity; skepticism. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ OF. doutable, L. dubitabilis, from dubitare. Cf. Dubitable. ] 1. Capable of being doubted; questionable. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Worthy of being feared; redoubtable. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OF. doutance. Cf. Dubitancy. ] State of being in doubt; uncertainty; doubt. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who doubts; one whose opinion is unsettled; one who scruples. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. 1. Not settled in opinion; undetermined; wavering; hesitating in belief; also used, metaphorically, of the body when its action is affected by such a state of mind; as, we are doubtful of a fact, or of the propriety of a measure. [ 1913 Webster ]

Methinks I should know you, and know this man;
Yet I am doubtful. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

With doubtful feet and wavering resolution. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Admitting of doubt; not obvious, clear, or certain; questionable; not decided; not easy to be defined, classed, or named; as, a doubtful case, hue, claim, title, species, and the like. [ 1913 Webster ]

Beauty is but a vain and doubtful good. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Is it a great cruelty to expel from our abode the enemy of our peace, or even the doubtful friend [ i. e., one as to whose sincerity there may be doubts ]? Bancroft. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Characterized by ambiguity; dubious; as, a doubtful expression; a doubtful phrase. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Of uncertain issue or event. [ 1913 Webster ]

We . . . have sustained one day in doubtful fight. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

The strife between the two principles had been long, fierce, and doubtful. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. Fearful; apprehensive; suspicious. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

I am doubtful that you have been conjunct
And bosomed with her. Shak.

Syn. -- Wavering; vacillating; hesitating; undetermined; distrustful; dubious; uncertain; equivocal; ambiguous; problematical; questionable. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a doubtful manner. [ 1913 Webster ]

Nor did the goddess doubtfully declare. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. State of being doubtful. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Uncertainty of meaning; ambiguity; indefiniteness. “ The doubtfulness of his expressions.” Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Uncertainty of event or issue. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]