Doubt | Webster's Dictionary (1865)

Doubt, v. i.

verbintransitive

(dout), v. i. [imp. & p. p. DOUBTED; p. pr. & vb. n. DOUBTING.] [O. Fr. doubter, N. Fr. douter, Pr. duptar, doptar, Sp. dudar, Pg. duvidar, It. dubitare, dottare, Lat. dubitare, v. intens. from a primitive form dubare, from duo, two, like Gr. δοιάζειν, from δοιοί, for δύο, and Ger. zweifeln, from zwei.]

Sense 1. To waver or fluctuate in opinion; to hesitate; to be in suspense; to be in uncertainty respecting any thing; to be undetermined.

Even in matters divine, concerning some things, we may lawfully doubt and suspend our judgment. Hooker.

Sense 2. To fear; to be apprehensive; to suspect.

I doubt there's deep resentment in his mind. Otway.

Synonyms—To waver; fluctuate; hesitate; demur; scruple; question; suspect.

Doubt, v. t.

verbtransitive

(dout), v. t. 1. To question or hold questionable; to withhold assent to; to dissent from; to hesitate to believe; to withhold confidence from; as, I have heard the story, but I doubt the truth of it.

To admire superior sense, and doubt their own. Pope.

Sense 2. To fear; to apprehend; to suspect.

If they bring me out to be hanged to-morrow, as is much to be doubted they may. W. Scott.

Sense 3. To stand in fear of; to regard with awe or dread. [Obs.]

Turn ye to doubted knights. Spenser.

Sense 4. To fill with fear; to affright. [Obs.]

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

Doubt, n.

noun

(dout), n. [O. Fr. doubte, N. Fr. doute, Pr. dupte, dopte, Sp. duda, Pg. duvida, It. dubbio, dotta, Lat. dubium, from dubius, moving in two directions alternately, wavering in opinion, doubting, doubtful. See supra.]

Sense 1. A fluctuation of mind arising from defect of knowledge or evidence; uncertainty of mind; unsettled state of opinion; suspense; hesitation.

Doubt is the beginning and the end of our efforts to know. Sir W. Hamilton.

Sense 2. Uncertainty of condition.

Thy life shall hang in doubt before thee. Deut. xxviii. 66.

Sense 3. Suspicion; fear; apprehension; dread.

I stand in doubt of you. Gal. iv. 20.

Nor slack her threatful hand for danger’s doubt. Spenser.

Sense 4. Difficulty expressed or urged for solution; objection.

To every doubt your answer is the same. Blackmore.

Out of doubt, beyond doubt. [Obs.] Spenser.