unce

n. [ L. uncia ounce. See Ounce a weight. ] An ounce; a small portion. [ Obs. ] “By unces hung his locks.” Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Not capable of being ended; unceasing. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } v. t. [ 1st pref. un- + center. ] To throw from its center. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ 1st pref. un- + century. ] To remove from its actual century. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

It has first to uncentury itself. H. Drummond. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ 1st pref. un- + certain; or fr. uncertain, a. ] To make uncertain. [ Obs. ] Sir W. Raleigh. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Pref. un- not + certain. Cf. Incertain. ] 1. Not certain; not having certain knowledge; not assured in mind; distrustful. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

Man, without the protection of a superior Being, . . . is uncertain of everything that he hopes for. Tillotson. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Irresolute; inconsonant; variable; untrustworthy; as, an uncertain person; an uncertain breeze. [ 1913 Webster ]

O woman! in our hours of ease,
Uncertain, coy, and hard to please! Sir W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Questionable; equivocal; indefinite; problematical. “The fashion of uncertain evils.” Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

From certain dangers to uncertain praise. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Not sure; liable to fall or err; fallible. [ 1913 Webster ]

Soon bent his bow, uncertain in his aim. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

Whistling slings dismissed the uncertain stone. Gay. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- See Precarious. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In an uncertain manner. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. Uncertainties [ 1913 Webster ]

1. The quality or state of being uncertain. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. That which is uncertain; something unknown. [ 1913 Webster ]

Our shepherd's case is every man's case that quits a moral certainty for an uncertainty. L'Estrange. [ 1913 Webster ]