dubitationn.
/djuːbɪˈteɪʃən/ a. The action or condition of doubting; 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
c1450 Cov. Myst. (Shaks. Soc.) 67 I..Alle that my progenitouris hath..seyn, ffeythfully beleve withowtyn alle dubytacion.
1570 G. Buchanan Chamæleon in Vernac. Writings (1892) 51 The Chamæleon..eftir sum dubitatioun come to Striueling.
1645 J. Howell Epistolæ Ho-elianæ i. xxi. 25 It is as true a rule, that..dubitation is the beginning of all knowledge.
a1734 R. North Examen (1740) i. i. 28 Lest the Author should think himself affronted by this Dubitation touching his Story.
1814 W. Scott Waverley II. xviii. 283 Beyond a shadow of dubitation . View more context for this quotation
1891 Spectator 14 Mar. The assertion, made with no dubitation or reserve.
b. An instance of this; †a matter of doubt (obsolete).
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
1545 G. Joye Expos. Daniel (xii.) f. 219v The trewe inuocacion of god thorow cryst, thei haue turned it into a dowtfull dubitacion.
1683 E. Hooker in J. Pordage Theologia Mystica 99 Altercations, disputations and dubitations of, in and about Mystic Theologie.
1837 T. Carlyle French Revol. III. vii. vii. 437 In the wreck of human dubitations, this remains indubitable, that Pleasure is pleasant.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1897; most recently modified version published online September 2018).
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n.c1450