† doubtancen.
Obsolete.
1. Doubt, uncertainty, hesitation.
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
1292 Britton iii. vi. §2 Le seignur..de ceo soit en dotaunce par acun qi se profre pur dreit heir.]
c1325 Chron. Eng. 497 Thilke he spende saunt[z] dotaunce.
c1374 G. Chaucer Troilus & Criseyde iv. 1016 (1044) Out of doutaunce, I may wel maken..My resonynge.
1483 W. Caxton tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende 110 b/1 Herof no man shold haue doubtaunce.
1529 D. Lindsay Compl. 5 I stand in gret dowtance.
2. Fear, dread.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > fear > apprehension > [noun] > apprehension
doubta1225
feara1300
werea1300
suspiciona1340
doubtancea1400
suspectc1400
dwerec1440
suspensec1440
doubting1486
frayed1536
doubtfulness1576
pain1582
preapprehension1628
apprehension1656
alarm1733
a1400 Coer de L. 1862 Have ye no doutance Of all these English cowards.
a1420 T. Hoccleve De Regimine Principum 322 He that of no thyng hath dotaunce.
1484 W. Caxton tr. Ordre of Chyualry (1926) vi. 85 Doubtaunce affeblyssheth strengthe of courage.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1897; most recently modified version published online June 2019).
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n.c1325