incertituden.
/ɪnˈsəːtɪtjuːd/ 1. Subjective uncertainty; the state or condition of not being certain or sure of something; absence of assurance or confidence; doubt, 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
1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny Hist. World I. xviii. xxv. 586 The cause of this incertitude and difficultie [as to the beginning of Spring], is partly the convexitie of the cope of heaven, and partly the diverse climates observed in the globe of the earth.
a1631 J. Donne Serm. (1953) VI. 108 The fearfull man..fals into labyrinths, of incertitudes, and impertinencies, and..anxieties, and irresolutions.
1677 T. Gale Court of Gentiles: Pt. III iii. 158 For Scepticisme and incertitude is the punishment of such temeritie.
1756 E. Burke Vindic. Nat. Society 80 Thus we were brought back to our old Incertitude.
1833 A. Alison Hist. Europe during French Revol. I. iii. 187 The King was distracted by the most cruel incertitude.
2. Objective uncertainty; uncertain or insecure condition; insecurity.
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
1603 P. Holland tr. Plutarch Morals 875 The incertitude and instabilitie of this life.
1692 J. Locke Toleration i, in Wks. (1727) II. 241 Let us grant..that in this Incertitude of Things, the safest..Way..is to follow his Dictates.
1802 J. Corry Mem. A. Berkeley 152 The incertitude of his reconciliation with Miss Vernon.
3. Indistinctness of visible forms; obscurity.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > invisibility > [noun] > indistinctness
undistinction1647
shadowinessa1672
indistinctness1704
obscure1787
muzz1843
fogginess1853
blur1860
blurredness1864
veiling1864
fuzziness1866
blear1868
nebulousness1878
incertitude1883
velation1922
blurriness1937
1883 Cent. Mag. 26 821 Visit it..towards the close of day, when the gray incertitude lies on the mighty city.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1900; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
<
n.1601