doubtn.1
/daʊt/, U.S. /daʊt/ 1.
a. The (subjective) state of uncertainty with regard to the truth or reality of anything; undecidedness of belief or opinion. With plural: A feeling of uncertainty as to something. spec. Uncertainty as to the truth of Christianity or some other religious belief or doctrine (frequently plural and occasionally personified).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > [noun]
studyinglOE
orrathnessc1175
doubta1225
balance1297
were1303
doubtancec1325
unsickernessc1340
wilsomenessa1400
wonda1400
scriple?a1425
ambiguityc1425
diswerec1440
dubitationc1450
variation?1473
incertainty1483
doubting1486
doubtfulness1526
scrupulousness1526
scruple1548
uncertainty1548
disputation1549
irresolution1592
swithering1597
hesitance1601
incertitude1601
unpersuadedness1612
inassurance1614
hesitancy1617
unsettledness1619
hesitation1622
unsatisfaction1643
unsatisfiedness1646
dubitancy1649
insecurity1649
dispersuasion1653
unassuredness1660
scrupling1665
unconfidencea1670
swither1719
dubietyc1750
mank1808
suspense1816
dubitating1837
doubtingness1840
society > faith > aspects of faith > theism > atheism > [noun]
unbeliefc1160
wantruthc1175
mislevea1200
doubta1225
untrothc1380
untruthc1380
unreligiositya1382
irreligiosity1382
unbelieffulnessc1384
unfaithfulness1388
unbelievinga1400
unfaith1415
wanbelevenessc1440
wanbelievingc1440
wantrowinga1450
wanbelevea1470
mistruthc1480
infidelity1509
incredulity1532
atheonismc1534
unbelievingness1561
irreligiousness?1577
faithlessness1579
unreligiousness1579
atheism1587
scruple1600
discredence1627
doubtinga1628
disbelieving1645
atheisticalness1654
diffidelity1659
disbelief1672
atheisticness1691
nothingism1755
scepticism1800
nihilisma1817
infidelisma1834
nothingarianism1842
agnosticism1870
disfaith1870
no-Goddism1931
a1225 Leg. Kath. 2463 Ne beo þu na þing o dute Of al þet tu ibeden hauest.
c1300 Beket 375 Thanne was the Bischop in gret doute what were therof to done.
c1400 Mandeville's Trav. (Roxb.) xiii. 57 Þou man of litil faith, whi had þou doute?
1483 Cath. Angl. 105/2 A Dowte, ambiguitas, dubietas, dubitacio, dubium.
1559 W. Cuningham Cosmogr. Glasse 17 Your wordes bringe me in a doubt.
1576 A. Fleming tr. Cicero in Panoplie Epist. 17 You ought not to stand in doubt.
1585 Queen Elizabeth I in W. B. Scoones Four Cent. Eng. Lett. (1880) 29 I write not this, my deare brother, for dout.
1609 W. Shakespeare Troilus & Cressida ii. ii. 14 Modest doubt is calld The beacon of the wise. View more context for this quotation
1708 G. Stanhope Paraphr. (1709) IV. 67 To remove all Remains of Unbelief and Doubt.
1772 W. Cowper in R. Conyers Coll. Psalms & Hymns 217 The folly of my doubts and fears.
1850 Ld. Tennyson In Memoriam xciv. 142 There lives more faith in honest doubt, Believe me, than in half the creeds. View more context for this quotation
1855 R. Browning Bishop Blougram in Men & Women I. 216 What have we gained then by our unbelief But a life of doubt diversified by faith, For one of faith diversified by doubt.
1915 G. K. Chesterton Poems 98 John Grubby, who was short and stout And troubled with religious doubt.
1924 C. Mackenzie Heavenly Ladder xxiv. 296 It was all right so long as I said Mass myself; I had no doubts then.
1934 H. G. Wells Exper. in Autobiogr. I. iv. 188 I had not yet been confirmed... I suggested that I might have ‘doubts’.
1960 P. Mortimer Saturday Lunch with Brownings 109 For the first time in his life..he had Doubts.
1971 Daily Tel. 8 Apr. 10/6 (heading) 3 per cent. of church-goers have doubts.
b. The condition of being (objectively) uncertain; a state of affairs such as to give occasion for hesitation or uncertainty. to give (an accused person) the benefit of the doubt: to give a verdict of Not Guilty where the evidence is conflicting; to assume his innocence rather than guilt; hence in wider use, to incline to the more favourable or kindly decision, estimate, or the like.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > insecure knowledge, uncertainty > [noun]
unwitternessa1300
were1303
unsickernessc1340
uncertaintyc1380
non-certainc1390
doubta1400
unsureness1430
untrust1430
unsuretyc1460
non-certainty1475
incertain1502
doubtfulness1530
uncertitudea1556
incertitude1603
incertainty1609
dubiosity1646
dubiousness1651
dubietyc1750
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Gött.) l. 22612 Saint paul it sais, it es na dute.
1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) xiv. 207 Quhill eftir myd morne, the fichting Lestit, in-till sic ane dout.
1678 J. Dryden All for Love iv. 47 Like A Polisht Glass held to the lips when life's in doubt.
1817 J. Mill Hist. Brit. India II. v. vi. 556 It..brought in doubt the sincerity of the former professions.
1844 C. J. Napier Let. 21 Feb. in W. Napier Life & Opinions Sir C. J. Napier (1857) III. 48 I shall therefore..give him the benefit at your request.]
1848 Bell's Life in London 9 July 2/3 If he thought he was out, it must suffice; but he ought to have been quite certain, or..to have given the batter the benefit of the doubt.
1860 T. Inman On Myalgia 104 We should more frequently give our patients the ‘benefit of our doubts’, and abstain from attempting to cure an inflammation [etc.].
1892 Sir A. Kekewich in Law Times Rep. 67 140/1 In a case of this kind I think I ought to give the defendant the benefit of the doubt.
1961 P. Ustinov Loser xi. 259 He deserved the benefit of the doubt, for old times' sake.
1961 P. Ustinov Loser xiii. 284 Perhaps, he now thought, he had just been a microcosm of a world addled by a desperate malady... No, he deserved no benefit of any doubt.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > [noun] > a doubt, scruple
were1338
doubtc1374
incertainty1483
scruple1534
dubitation1545
scrupulosity?a1562
irresolution1592
suspense1594
non liquet1656
nicety1694
reservation1719
hows and whys1726
dubiety1807
c1374 G. Chaucer tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. iv. pr. vi. 134 Whan oon doute is determined and kut awey þer wexen oþer doutes wiþouten noumbre.
a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) II. xvi. xlvii. 851 No man schal wene þat it is doute or fals, þat God haþ set vertu in precious stoones.
1581 G. Pettie tr. S. Guazzo Ciuile Conuersat. (1586) i. 41 b Who will..now and then propose such doubtfull doubtes.
1693 in Colonial Rec. Pennsylvania (1852) I. 420 You doe Likewise alledge that the greatest bodie of Laws were transmitted..by Mr. penn, which is a doubt.
a. Apprehension, dread, fear. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > fear > apprehension > [noun] > apprehension
doubta1225
feara1300
werea1300
suspiciona1340
doubtancea1400
suspectc1400
dwerec1440
suspensec1440
doubting1486
frayed1536
doubtfulness1576
pain1582
preapprehension1628
apprehension1656
alarm1733
a1225 Juliana 28 For dute of deaðe.
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (1724) 89 He nadde of no prince in þe world doute.
c1386 G. Chaucer Parson's Tale ⁋949 Oonly for the doute of Ihesu Crist.
1411 Rolls of Parl. III. 650/2 I havyng doute of harme of my body..dyd assemble these persones.
1490 W. Caxton tr. Foure Sonnes of Aymon (1885) iii. 81 For doubte to be blamed he spored his horse.
c1515 Ld. Berners tr. Bk. Duke Huon of Burdeux (1882–7) xcv. 311 They dare not, for dought of Kyng Charlemayne.
1659 D. Pell Πελαγος 511 Being in many fears and doubts of starving.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > danger > [noun] > instance or cause of
stone-rochec1200
perilc1300
doubta1400
Charybdisc1400
rocka1475
hazard1524
dangera1538
shelve1582
reef1841
kettle-de-benders1872
ankle-breaker1899
danger-spot1905
banana skin1907
a1400 Coer de L. 2922 It is gret doute he schal us wynne!
c1400 Lanfranc's Cirurg. 134 If þat ilke remile peerse þe brayn panne þer is a greet doute in þe caas.
1596 E. Spenser Second Pt. Faerie Queene v. xi. sig. X8v How euer strong and stout They were, as well approu'd in many a doubt . View more context for this quotation
4. Phrases:† c. out of doubt: without doubt, doubtless (obsolete).
a. to make doubt: †(a) to hesitate, to scruple (obsolete); (b) to doubt, to be uncertain.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > wish or inclination > unwillingness > be unwilling [verb (intransitive)]
nillOE
loathea1200
to make it tough1297
forthinka1300
reckc1300
ruea1400
to make (it) strangec1405
to make strangenessc1407
stick1418
resistc1425
to make (it) strange?1456
steek1478
tarrowc1480
doubt1483
sunyie1488
to make (it) nice1530
stay1533
shentc1540
to make courtesy (at)1542
to make it scrupulous1548
to think (it) much1548
to make dainty of (anything)1555
to lie aback1560
stand1563
steek1573
to hang back1581
erch1584
to make doubt1586
to hang the groin1587
to make scruple (also a, no, etc., scruple)1589
yearn1597
to hang the winga1601
to make squeamish1611
smay1632
bogglea1638
to hang off1641
waver1643
reluct1648
shy1650
reluctate1655
stickle1656
scruple1660
to make boggle1667
revere1689
begrudge1690
to have scruples1719
stopc1738
bitch1777
reprobate1779
crane1823
disincline1885
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > doubt, be uncertain [verb (intransitive)]
tweonc897
to be at or in weeningc1275
doubtc1325
dreadc1400
vary1477
swither1535
stay1583
to have or make scruple of1600
demur1612
demurea1616
hesitate1623
Nicodemize1624
scruple1639
scrupulize1642
query1647
to make doubt1709
to have scruples1719
to have weres1768
mislippen1816
dubitate1837
1586 T. Bowes tr. P. de la Primaudaye French Acad. I. 195 Boleslaus the second..made no dout to take women by violence from their husbands.
1709 J. Strype Ann. Reformation xxii. 264 I make some doubt, whether the..Proclamation..were ever printed.
1875 B. Jowett tr. Plato Dialogues (ed. 2) I. 320 I make no doubt that you will prove the truth of your words.
b. no doubt: undoubtedly, doubtless.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > absence of doubt, confidence > assured fact, certainty > making certain, assurance > of course, certainly [phrase]
to iwissea1000
mid iwissea1000
in wisc1000
to wis(se)c1000
without(en (any) weenc1175
sans fail1297
thereof no strife1297
but werea1300
forouten werea1300
out of werea1300
without werea1300
without deceit1303
for certainc1320
it is to wittingc1320
withouten carec1320
without nayc1330
without noc1330
without (but out of) dread1340
no doubtc1380
without distancec1390
no fresea1400
out of doubta1400
without doubta1400
for, (in, at obs.), of, to (a) certaintyc1400
withouten stance14..
hazel woods shakea1413
of, on, in warrantisec1440
sure enough?1440
without question?1440
wythout diswerec1440
without any dispayrec1470
for (also of) a surety?a1475
in (also for) surenessa1475
of certainc1485
without any (also all) naya1500
out of question?1526
past question?1526
for sure1534
what else1540
beyond (also out of, past, without) (all) peradventure1542
to be a bidden by1549
out of (also without) all cry1565
with a witness1579
upon my word1591
no question1594
out of all suspicion1600
for a certain1608
without scruple1612
to be sure1615
that's pos1710
in course1722
beyond (all) question1817
(and) no mistake1818
no two ways about it (also that)1818
of course1823
bien entendu1844
yessiree1846
you bet you1857
make no mistake1876
acourse1883
sans doute1890
how are you?1918
you bet your bippy1968
c1380 J. Wyclif Wks. (1880) 378 And no dowte..siluestre..schulde haue synned more greuously þan giezi did.
1576 A. Fleming tr. Cicero in Panoplie Epist. 86 Your mother, a notable Gentlewoman (no dout).
1745 P. Thomas True Jrnl. Voy. South-Seas 65 It was done..to the entire Satisfaction of five or six (no doubt) very disinterested Officers.
1885 Manch. Examiner 25 Feb. 5/1 No doubt it was adroit, but the adroitness was of a vulgar kind.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > absence of doubt, confidence > assured fact, certainty > making certain, assurance > of course, certainly [phrase]
to iwissea1000
mid iwissea1000
in wisc1000
to wis(se)c1000
without(en (any) weenc1175
sans fail1297
thereof no strife1297
but werea1300
forouten werea1300
out of werea1300
without werea1300
without deceit1303
for certainc1320
it is to wittingc1320
withouten carec1320
without nayc1330
without noc1330
without (but out of) dread1340
no doubtc1380
without distancec1390
no fresea1400
out of doubta1400
without doubta1400
for, (in, at obs.), of, to (a) certaintyc1400
withouten stance14..
hazel woods shakea1413
of, on, in warrantisec1440
sure enough?1440
without question?1440
wythout diswerec1440
without any dispayrec1470
for (also of) a surety?a1475
in (also for) surenessa1475
of certainc1485
without any (also all) naya1500
out of question?1526
past question?1526
for sure1534
what else1540
beyond (also out of, past, without) (all) peradventure1542
to be a bidden by1549
out of (also without) all cry1565
with a witness1579
upon my word1591
no question1594
out of all suspicion1600
for a certain1608
without scruple1612
to be sure1615
that's pos1710
in course1722
beyond (all) question1817
(and) no mistake1818
no two ways about it (also that)1818
of course1823
bien entendu1844
yessiree1846
you bet you1857
make no mistake1876
acourse1883
sans doute1890
how are you?1918
you bet your bippy1968
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 2276 Þat story telleþ out of doute.
?1465 J. Paston in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) I. 394 As I schal owt of dowght her-afftere doo.
1574 St. Avstens Manuell in Certaine Prayers S. Augustines Medit. sig. Sviijv Out of all doubt..their whole soule shall not suffice to reioyse to the full.
1656 O. Cromwell Speech 17 Sept. Whose ends have, out of doubt, been what I told you.
d. without doubt: (a) certainly, undoubtedly; †(b) without fear, fearlessly (obsolete).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > absence of doubt, confidence > assured fact, certainty > making certain, assurance > of course, certainly [phrase]
to iwissea1000
mid iwissea1000
in wisc1000
to wis(se)c1000
without(en (any) weenc1175
sans fail1297
thereof no strife1297
but werea1300
forouten werea1300
out of werea1300
without werea1300
without deceit1303
for certainc1320
it is to wittingc1320
withouten carec1320
without nayc1330
without noc1330
without (but out of) dread1340
no doubtc1380
without distancec1390
no fresea1400
out of doubta1400
without doubta1400
for, (in, at obs.), of, to (a) certaintyc1400
withouten stance14..
hazel woods shakea1413
of, on, in warrantisec1440
sure enough?1440
without question?1440
wythout diswerec1440
without any dispayrec1470
for (also of) a surety?a1475
in (also for) surenessa1475
of certainc1485
without any (also all) naya1500
out of question?1526
past question?1526
for sure1534
what else1540
beyond (also out of, past, without) (all) peradventure1542
to be a bidden by1549
out of (also without) all cry1565
with a witness1579
upon my word1591
no question1594
out of all suspicion1600
for a certain1608
without scruple1612
to be sure1615
that's pos1710
in course1722
beyond (all) question1817
(and) no mistake1818
no two ways about it (also that)1818
of course1823
bien entendu1844
yessiree1846
you bet you1857
make no mistake1876
acourse1883
sans doute1890
how are you?1918
you bet your bippy1968
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 6557 Cums again, wit-vten dute.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 2053 Cham wit-outen dout Sal be his brothers vnderlote.
c1410 Sir Cleges 44 Rech and pore..Schulde be there wythoutton dought.
1556 tr. J. de Flores Histoire de Aurelio & Isabelle sig. D7 Withouten doute I sholde merite to lease yow.
1674 A. Cremer tr. J. Scheffer Hist. Lapland 64 This Henricus..was without doubt..the head of the Birkali.
1895 F. Hall Two Trifles vii Without doubt, in the judgment of many..he has done so.
Compounds
In combinations.
ΚΠ
a1656 Bp. J. Hall Shaking of Olive-tree (1660) ii. 393 Against these doubt-mongers.
a1657 G. Daniel Trinarchodia: Henry V cxliv, in Poems (1878) IV. 137 His doubt-Sprung Pietie has yet a farther Quest.
1895 Tablet 7 Dec. 901 The doubt-excluding certainty required.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1897; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
† doubtn.2
Obsolete. rare.
A redoubt.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > defence > defensive work(s) > earthwork or rampart > [noun] > outwork > redoubt
redoubta1608
doubt?1611
reduct1704
?1611 G. Chapman tr. Homer Iliads xii. 286 This doubt downe, that now betwixt us stands.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1897; most recently modified version published online June 2021).
doubtv.
/daʊt/, U.S. /daʊt/ I. Senses relating to doubt or uncertainty.† 3. To hesitate, scruple, delay: with infinitive.
1. intransitive. To be in doubt or uncertainty; to be wavering or undecided in opinion or belief. Const. of (†at, †in).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > doubt, be uncertain [verb (intransitive)]
tweonc897
to be at or in weeningc1275
doubtc1325
dreadc1400
vary1477
swither1535
stay1583
to have or make scruple of1600
demur1612
demurea1616
hesitate1623
Nicodemize1624
scruple1639
scrupulize1642
query1647
to make doubt1709
to have scruples1719
to have weres1768
mislippen1816
dubitate1837
c1325 Metr. Hom. 100 Of his birth douted thai noht.
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Luke ix. 7 He doutide, for it was seid [emended in ed. to for that it was seid] of sum men, for Joon roos aȝen fro deede men.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Coll. Phys.) l. 21090 Lange he [sc. Thomas Didymus] dutid in þe richte.
1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. clxxxi. 216 There was none that ought to dout in hym.
1539 Bible (Great) Matt. xxviii. 17 But some douted.
a1556 T. Cranmer in J. Strype Eccl. Memorials (1721) II. App. AA. 97 The Chyrche wytnesseth them to be true..wherfore it is not lawful to doubt at them.
a1634 W. Austin Devotionis Augustinianæ Flamma (1635) 178 Hee that never doubted, scarce ever well-beleeved.
1771 J. Beattie Minstrel: Bk. 1st xlix. 25 But let us hope, to doubt, is to rebel.
1874 J. R. Green Short Hist. Eng. People viii. §6. 519 Who never doubted of the final triumph of freedom and the law.
2.
a. transitive. To be uncertain or divided in opinion about; to hesitate to believe or trust; to feel doubt about; to call in question; to mistrust.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > doubt [verb (transitive)]
doubta1400
question1533
misdoubt?c1550
scrupulize1625
scruple1641
demur1667
suspect1698
query1815
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 22811 Who so douteþ þis, is childe þe more.
1494 R. Fabyan New Chron. Eng. II. ccxli. (R.) The lady who douted those wordes.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Richard III f. xlij Diuerse of his houshold seruauntes, whome either he suspected or doubted.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Merry Wives of Windsor (1623) v. v. 171 Doctors doubt that. View more context for this quotation
1680 Earl of Mulgrave & J. Dryden tr. Ovid in J. Dryden et al. tr. Epist. 163 He..The Beauty doubted, but believ'd the Wife.
a1780 J. Harris Philol. Inq. (1781) iii. iii. 261 Because Socrates doubted some things, therefore Arcesilas and Carneades doubted all.
1797 A. Radcliffe Italian I. ii. 66 My Lord, you have never yet doubted my word.
1856 R. W. Emerson Eng. Traits viii. 133 They doubt a man's sound judgment, if he does not eat with appetite.
b. with clause, introduced by whether, if, that. (Often with but, but that, when the main clause is negative or interrogative: see but conj. 9b) †Also formerly with infinitive.
ΚΠ
1303 R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne 857 Hys dyscyplys doutede echoun Wheþer he shulde ryse or noun.
1340 R. Rolle Pricke of Conscience 2965 Þe saule..Þat doutes whethir he sal be dampned or save.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Richard III f. xxxixv Not doughtynge but that..he shoulde fynde hym faythefull.
1592 A. Day Eng. Secretorie (rev. ed.) i. sig. U2 Doubting how to haue recompence.
1664 S. Butler Hudibras: Second Pt. ii. iii. 205 I do not doubt, To find Friends, that will bear me out.
1711 R. Steele Spectator No. 6. ⁋4 I do not doubt but England is at present as polite a Nation as any in the World.
1817 W. Selwyn Abridgem. Law Nisi Prius (ed. 4) II. 1059 It never was doubted, but that one partner might bind the rest.
1858 N. Hawthorne Jrnl. 6 Jan. in French & Ital. Notebks. (1980) i. 11 I doubt whether English cookery..is not better for man's moral and spiritual nature, than French.
1871 B. Taylor tr. J. W. von Goethe Faust II. Introd. p. vii Schiller doubted that a poetic measure could be formed, capable of holding Goethe's plan.
1891 Law Times 92 107/1 The master doubted if all remedies were not barred by the lapse of time.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > wish or inclination > unwillingness > be unwilling [verb (intransitive)]
nillOE
loathea1200
to make it tough1297
forthinka1300
reckc1300
ruea1400
to make (it) strangec1405
to make strangenessc1407
stick1418
resistc1425
to make (it) strange?1456
steek1478
tarrowc1480
doubt1483
sunyie1488
to make (it) nice1530
stay1533
shentc1540
to make courtesy (at)1542
to make it scrupulous1548
to think (it) much1548
to make dainty of (anything)1555
to lie aback1560
stand1563
steek1573
to hang back1581
erch1584
to make doubt1586
to hang the groin1587
to make scruple (also a, no, etc., scruple)1589
yearn1597
to hang the winga1601
to make squeamish1611
smay1632
bogglea1638
to hang off1641
waver1643
reluct1648
shy1650
reluctate1655
stickle1656
scruple1660
to make boggle1667
revere1689
begrudge1690
to have scruples1719
stopc1738
bitch1777
reprobate1779
crane1823
disincline1885
1483 Cath. Angl. 105/2 To Dowte; cunctari..herere, hesare.
1549–62 T. Sternhold & J. Hopkins Whole Bk. Psalms l. 3 Our God shall come in hast, to speake he shall not doubt.
1576 A. Fleming tr. Cicero in Panoplie Epist. 7 I dout not to request and earnestly beseeche you, to returne.
1655 T. Stanley Hist. Philos. I. iii. 23 Plato doubteth not to write in this manner.
1743 H. Fielding Journey from this World i. ii, in Misc. II. 12 Mr. Locke, hath not doubted to assert that you may see a Spirit in open Day-light.
4. impersonal. To cause to doubt, make doubtful.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > doubt [verb (impersonal)]
doubt18..
18.. J. G. Whittier Prose Wks. (1889) II. 20 This, he says, somewhat doubted him at first, as the book was not canonical.
II. Senses relating to fear or apprehension.† 7. reflexive. To fear; to be afraid. [= Old French se douter.] Cf. fear v. 3. Obsolete or archaic.† 8. † b. to doubt of: to fear for, be in fear about.† 9. impersonal. To make (a person) afraid. to be doubted, to be afraid. Obsolete.
5. transitive. To dread, fear, be afraid of.† a. with simple object. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > fear > be afraid of [verb (transitive)]
doubt?c1225
ydout1297
doubta1400
fearc1460
effray1485
to fear of (rarely at)1509
afear1554
funk1837
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 179 Þe deouel of helle duteð ham swiðe.
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (1724) 276 Edmond..doutede God þoru alle thyng.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 12571 Þai him luued and doted ai.
a1450 Knt. de la Tour xxxiv. 48 Ye shulde love and doute your husbonde.
1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. xxix. 43 He made many to be slayne, wherby he was so doughted.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 13834 Myche dut he his dreme, & dred hym þerfore.
a1640 T. Risdon Chorogr. Surv. Devon (1811) (modernized text) §329 339 St. Ann's Chapel is..very near the sea, yet doubts not drowning.
1664 Floddan Field v. 46 No English-man Scots more did doubt.
b. With infinitive phrase or objective clause: To fear, be afraid (that something uncertain will take or has taken place). archaic and dialect.
ΚΠ
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 15171 Þe fleche was dutand for to dei.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 10869 Þis leuedi nathing doted sco þat godd ne moght his will do.
a1500 (?c1450) Merlin i. 6 He dought that he myght not wynne hem.
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 265 They doubted to fall in their handes.
1583 C. Hollyband Campo di Fior 309 I doubt lest we are gone out of the waye.
1665 S. Pepys Diary 27 Nov. (1972) VI. 387 Doubting that all will break in pieces in the Kingdom.
1712 W. Rogers Cruising Voy. 237 I doubt not any ones contradicting this Journal.
1816 W. Scott Antiquary I. vii. 156 But I doubt, I doubt, I have been beguiled!
1820 P. B. Shelley Let. 1 Sept. (1964) II. 234 I doubt that they will not contain the latest & most important news.
1897 N.E.D. at Doubt Mod. dial. I doubt we are too late.
6. In weakened sense (apparently influenced by I.):
a. To anticipate with apprehension, to apprehend (something feared or undesired).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > expect [verb (transitive)] > with apprehension
dreada1225
doubt1509
suspect1509
fear1600
apprehenda1616
1509 A. Barclay Brant's Shyp of Folys (Pynson) f. lxviii Ay dowtynge deth by cursed gyle and treason.
1598 R. Grenewey tr. Tacitus Annales ii. xii. 50 Doubting nothing more then least they should shiftoff [sic] the battell for feare.
1703 N. Rowe Fair Penitent ii. ii. 588 Still I must doubt some Mystery of Mischief.
1810 W. Scott Lady of Lake v. 205 Fear nought—nay, that I need not say—But—doubt not aught from mine array.
1838 W. H. Prescott Hist. Reign Ferdinand & Isabella II. ii. i. 272 They doubted some sinister motive, or deeper policy than appeared in the conduct of the French king.
b. To suspect, have suspicions about. archaic.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > lack of confidence, distrust, suspicion > mistrust, suspect [verb (transitive)]
mistrowOE
overtrowa1225
ortrow?c1225
susposea1325
souchec1325
supposec1384
mistrestc1415
mistrusta1425
mistraista1450
suspecta1500
mistrust1565
misdoubt1570
surmisec1571
fear1578
diffide1583
doubt1586
uncredit1615
disdoubt1659
jealouse1682
jalouse1816
suspicion1834
sus1953
1586 A. Day Eng. Secretorie i. sig. L8 Before..doubting the malicious dealinges of the aduerse party..against me.
1603 R. Knolles Gen. Hist. Turkes 865 The defendants doubting such a matter, by diligent listening..discouered their workes.
1875 W. D. Howells Foregone Concl. 17 Don Ippolito, whom he had begun by doubting for a spy.
c. With infinitive phrase or clause: To apprehend; to suspect. archaic.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > supposition, surmise > suppose, surmise [verb (transitive)]
ween971
readOE
aweena1275
guessc1380
supposec1384
seemc1386
imaginec1405
presupposec1443
deem1470
surmise1509
suspectc1550
doubt1568
expect1592
s'pose1632
fancy1672
sus1958
1568 T. Hill Certaine Husbandly Coniectures ii. f. 59v, in Proffitable Arte Gardening (rev. ed.) The pinne or webbe, is the like to be douted to happine in that yere.
1598 R. Grenewey tr. Tacitus Annales i. iv. 6 Some perill might ensue, if he should doubt that they perceiued his dissimulation.
1705 Wesley in T. Hearne Remarks & Coll. 28 Sept. My Flax [was] I doubt willfully fir'd and burnt.
1879 A. Trollope Thackeray 148 I doubt that Thackeray did not write the Latin epitaph.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > fear > be afraid [verb (reflexive)]
dreadc1175
agastc1300
ofdreadc1300
doubtc1330
fear1393
shitc1813
c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. (1810) 41 Doute þe of non enmys, þat comes vp on þe.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 6656 His folk..duted þam to cum him nerr.
1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. ccxviii. 278 I doubte me nothynge of them.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 12918 Ho dout hir full deply, for drede of þe kyng.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Timon of Athens (1623) i. ii. 150 Faith..would not hold taking, I doubt me. View more context for this quotation
1820 W. Scott Monastery I. vii. 202 I doubt me, his wits have gone a bell-wavering by the road.
a. intransitive. To be fear; to be afraid of. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > fear > be afraid of [verb (transitive)]
doubt?c1225
ydout1297
doubta1400
fearc1460
effray1485
to fear of (rarely at)1509
afear1554
funk1837
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Gött.) l. 1334 He loked..And sau thinges þat gert him dute.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 21870 Mony mon þerof shal doute.
a1500 Lancelot of Laik (1870) 1827 It..makith realmys and puple boith to dout.
1533 J. Gau tr. C. Pedersen Richt Vay sig. Nviiv Help al men quhilk ar vexit in thair hartt doutand for thair sinnis.
1577 R. Holinshed Chron. II. 310/1 The Frenche Kyng, who nowe began to doubt of the greate puissaunce of King William, as foreseing how much it might preiudice him.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > suffering > state of being upset or perturbed > worry > worry about [verb (transitive)]
obsess1531
to bite one's nails1577
to doubt of1577
worry1959
1577 M. Hanmer tr. Bp. Eusebius in Aunc. Eccl. Hist. iii. vi. 39 Euery one doubted of his owne life.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > fear > quality of inspiring fear > frighten [verb (transitive)]
gastOE
eisieOE
fearc1000
scarec1175
fray14..
doubtc1315
fright1423
flightc1571
to curdle the blood1579
effray1588
hare1656
pavefy1656
frighten1666
sob1671
haze1677
funk1789
gliff1823
frecken1847
to scare a person silly1942
c1315 Shoreham 93 Hym ne douteth of no breche Of Godes hestes healde.
a1400–50 Alexander 3555 (Ashm.) All driȝtens & dewessis ere dute of my name.
1490 in T. Stapleton Plumpton Corr. (1839) 96 I am douted that he vary from his grant.
a1620 M. Fotherby Atheomastix (1622) Pref. sig. B3v It's want of reason, or it's reasons want Which doubts the minde, and Iudgment so doth daunt.
a1625 J. Fletcher Bonduca i. ii, in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. Gggg2/1 The vertues of the valiant Caratach more doubts me then all Britain.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1897; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
<
n.1a1225
n.2?1611v.?c1225