doubtsomeadj.
Scottish and northern dialect.
= doubtful adj.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > insecure knowledge, uncertainty > questionable state or quality > [adjective]
openlOE
doubtousc1330
uncertain1338
doubtyc1380
brigousa1387
doubtablec1400
doubtfula1425
questionable1443
batable1453
strivablec1456
inquirable1485
litigious1520
doubtsomea1522
disputable1548
dubious1548
doubted?1551
moot1563
problematical1567
discussiblea1578
debatable1581
controversial1583
disputativea1586
debateful1587
decidable1596
controversible1601
controvertible1601
controversal1604
controversable1607
problematic1609
controversary1610
left-handed1610
disputed1611
dubitable1625
quarrellable1642
catchinga1670
non liquet1678
brigose1679
contestable1702
equivocala1797
controversional1807
contradictable1856
discutable1868
hinky1961
a1522 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid (1959) vi. xi. 91 Thochtfull in mynde, ne doutsum by na way.
1591 King James VI & I Lepanto in Poet. Exercises sig. H2 Long doubtsome fight.
1642 Declar. Lords Secr. Counc. Scot. 3 His generall and doubtsome faith.
1680 ‘Philalethes’ tr. G. Buchanan De Jure Regni apud Scotos 69 The hazard of a doubtsome cure.
1847–78 J. O. Halliwell Dict. Archaic & Provinc. Words Doubtsome, doubtful, uncertain. North. [In N.W. Lincolnsh., Lonsdale, Mid-Yorksh., Whitby, Northumberland Gloss.].
Derivatives
ˈdoubtsomely adv. doubtfully.
ΚΠ
1533 J. Bellenden tr. Livy Hist. Rome (1822) v. 417 Quhat maner of man this wes that spak sa doutsumlie.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1897; most recently modified version published online December 2020).
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adj.a1522