v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Doubted; p. pr. & vb. n. Doubting. ] [ OE. duten, douten, OF. duter, doter, douter, F. douter, fr. L. dubitare; akin to dubius doubtful. See Dubious. ] 1. To waver in opinion or judgment; to be in uncertainty as to belief respecting anything; to hesitate in belief; to be undecided as to the truth of the negative or the affirmative proposition; to b e undetermined. [ 1913 Webster ]

Even in matters divine, concerning some things, we may lawfully doubt, and suspend our judgment. Hooker. [ 1913 Webster ]

To try your love and make you doubt of mine. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To suspect; to fear; to be apprehensive. [ Obs. ]

Syn. -- To waver; vacillate; fluctuate; hesitate; demur; scruple; question. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. 1. To question or hold questionable; to withhold assent to; to hesitate to believe, or to be inclined not to believe; to withhold confidence from; to distrust; as, I have heard the story, but I doubt the truth of it. [ 1913 Webster ]

To admire superior sense, and doubt their own! Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

I doubt not that however changed, you keep
So much of what is graceful. Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]

To doubt not but. I do not doubt but I have been to blame. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ] We doubt not now
But every rub is smoothed on our way. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] That is, we have no doubt to prevent us from believing, etc. (or notwithstanding all that may be said to the contrary) -- but having a preventive sense, after verbs of “doubting” and “denying” that convey a notion of hindrance. E. A. Abbott. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To suspect; to fear; to be apprehensive of. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Edmond [ was a ] good man and doubted God. R. of Gloucester. [ 1913 Webster ]

I doubt some foul play. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

That I of doubted danger had no fear. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To fill with fear; to affright. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

The virtues of the valiant Caratach
More doubt me than all Britain. Beau. & Fl. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OE. dute, doute, F. doute, fr. douter to doubt. See Doubt, v. i. ] 1. A fluctuation of mind arising from defect of knowledge or evidence; uncertainty of judgment or mind; unsettled state of opinion concerning the reality of an event, or the truth of an assertion, etc.; hesitation. [ 1913 Webster ]

Doubt is the beginning and the end of our efforts to know. Sir W. Hamilton. [ 1913 Webster ]

Doubt, in order to be operative in requiring an acquittal, is not the want of perfect certainty (which can never exist in any question of fact) but a defect of proof preventing a reasonable assurance of quilt. Wharton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Uncertainty of condition. [ 1913 Webster ]

Thy life shall hang in doubt before thee. Deut. xxviii. 66. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Suspicion; fear; apprehension; dread. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

I stand in doubt of you. Gal. iv. 20. [ 1913 Webster ]

Nor slack her threatful hand for danger's doubt. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Difficulty expressed or urged for solution; point unsettled; objection. [ 1913 Webster ]

To every doubt your answer is the same. Blackmore. [ 1913 Webster ]

No doubt, undoubtedly; without doubt. --
Out of doubt, beyond doubt. [ Obs. ] Spenser.

Syn. -- Uncertainty; hesitation; suspense; indecision; irresolution; distrust; suspicion; scruple; perplexity; ambiguity; skepticism. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ OF. doutable, L. dubitabilis, from dubitare. Cf. Dubitable. ] 1. Capable of being doubted; questionable. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Worthy of being feared; redoubtable. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OF. doutance. Cf. Dubitancy. ] State of being in doubt; uncertainty; doubt. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who doubts; one whose opinion is unsettled; one who scruples. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. 1. Not settled in opinion; undetermined; wavering; hesitating in belief; also used, metaphorically, of the body when its action is affected by such a state of mind; as, we are doubtful of a fact, or of the propriety of a measure. [ 1913 Webster ]

Methinks I should know you, and know this man;
Yet I am doubtful. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

With doubtful feet and wavering resolution. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Admitting of doubt; not obvious, clear, or certain; questionable; not decided; not easy to be defined, classed, or named; as, a doubtful case, hue, claim, title, species, and the like. [ 1913 Webster ]

Beauty is but a vain and doubtful good. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Is it a great cruelty to expel from our abode the enemy of our peace, or even the doubtful friend [ i. e., one as to whose sincerity there may be doubts ]? Bancroft. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Characterized by ambiguity; dubious; as, a doubtful expression; a doubtful phrase. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Of uncertain issue or event. [ 1913 Webster ]

We . . . have sustained one day in doubtful fight. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

The strife between the two principles had been long, fierce, and doubtful. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. Fearful; apprehensive; suspicious. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

I am doubtful that you have been conjunct
And bosomed with her. Shak.

Syn. -- Wavering; vacillating; hesitating; undetermined; distrustful; dubious; uncertain; equivocal; ambiguous; problematical; questionable. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a doubtful manner. [ 1913 Webster ]

Nor did the goddess doubtfully declare. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. State of being doubtful. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Uncertainty of meaning; ambiguity; indefiniteness. “ The doubtfulness of his expressions.” Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Uncertainty of event or issue. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. That is uncertain; that distrusts or hesitates; having doubts. -- Doubt"ing*ly, adv. [1913 Webster]

a. Free from fear or suspicion. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Pretty child, sleep doubtless and secure. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. Undoubtedly; without doubt. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. Unquestionably. Beau. & Fl. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ OF. dotos, douteus, F. douteux. ] Doubtful. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. & i. To be suspicious of; to have suspicion. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

I do not misdoubt my wife. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. Suspicion. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Irresolution; hesitation. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

a Misgiving; hesitating. [ Obs. ] “Her misdoubtful mind.” Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. redoute, fem., It. ridotto, LL. reductus, literally, a retreat, from L. reductus drawn back, retired, p. p. of reducere to lead or draw back; cf. F. réduit, also fr. LL. reductus. See Reduce, and cf. Reduct, Réduit, Ridotto. ] (Fort.) (a) A small, and usually a roughly constructed, fort or outwork of varying shape, commonly erected for a temporary purpose, and without flanking defenses, -- used esp. in fortifying tops of hills and passes, and positions in hostile territory. (b) In permanent works, an outwork placed within another outwork. See F and i in Illust. of Ravelin. [ Written also redout. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ F. redouter, formerly also spelt redoubter; fr. L. pref. re- re- + dubitare to doubt, in LL., to fear. See Doubt. ] To stand in dread of; to regard with fear; to dread. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ F. redoutable, formerly also spelt redoubtable. ] Formidable; dread; terrible to foes; as, a redoubtable hero; hence, valiant; -- often in contempt or burlesque. [ Written also redoutable. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Formidable; dread. “Some redoubted knight.” Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

Lord regent, and redoubted Burgandy. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Reverence; honor. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

In redoutyng of Mars and of his glory. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Indubitable. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Not doubted; not called in question; indubitable; indisputable; as, undoubted proof; undoubted hero. -- Un*doubt"ed*ly, adv. [1913 Webster]

See abolishable.
See absolvable.
See absurd.
See abundant.
See accordant.
See adoptable.
See adventurous.
See affable.
See affectionate.
See afraid.
See alliable.
See allowable.
See alterable.
See ambiguous.
See ambitious.
See amendable.
See -American.
See amusive.
See angular.
See anxious.
See apocryphal.
See apostolic.
See apparent.
See appeasable.
See applausive.
See appreciable.
See apprehensible.
See apprehensive.
See approachable.
See artificial.
See artistic.
See assailable.
See attainable.
See attentive.
See authentic.
See available.
See bailable.
See bearable.
See beautiful.
See beliefful.
See believable.
See beneficial.
See benevolent.
See blamable.
See blemishable.
See blissful.
See boastful.
See bold.
See bookish.
See bounteous.
See bribable.
See brotherly.
See burdensome.
See businesslike.
See busy.
See candid.
See canonical.
See captious.
See careful.
See celestial.
See ceremonious.
See challengeable.
See changeable.
See chary.
See chastisable.
See cheerful.
See cheery.
See childish.
See chivalrous.
See choleric.
See christianlike.
See circumspect.
See civic.
See classible.
See classic.
See classical.
See cleanly.
See clear.
See clerical.
See clerklike.
See close.
See cloudy.
See clubbable.
See coagulable.
See cogitable.
See collectible.
See comic.
See commendable.
See commercial.
See communicable.
See communicative.
See compact.
See companionable.
See compassionate.
See compellable.
See competitive.
See complaisant.
See compliant. See complimentary.
See concealable.
See concurrent.
See conditionate.
See confinable.
See confutable.
See congealable.
See congenial.
See conjugal.
See conjunctive.
See conquerable.
See consecrate.
See containable.
See contaminate.
See contradictable.
See contrite.
See convenable.
See conventional.
See conversable.
See conversant.
See convertible.
See coquettish.
See cordial.
See corpulent.
See correspondent.
See corruptible.
See corruptive.
See costly.
See counselable.
See countable.
See counterfeit.
See courteous.
See courtierlike.
See courtly.
See crafty.
See creatable.
See critical.
See crystalline.
See cultivable.
See curious.
See customary.
See dangerous.
See daughterly.
See dead.
See deceivable.
See decidable.
See decipherable.
See declinable.
See decomposable.
See definable.
See delectable.
See deliberate.
See delightful.
See deliverable.
See democratic.
See demonstrable.
See demonstrative.
See deniable.
See derogatory.
See descendible.
See describable.
See desirable.
See desirous.
See despondent.
See devout.
See diaphanous.
See diligent.
See diminishable.
See discernible.
See disciplinable.
See discordant.
See discoverable.
See dissolvable.
See distinguishable.
See dividable.
See divine.
See domestic.
See doubtful.
[ 1913 Webster ]

See accommodating.
See aching.
See ailing.
See aiming.
See alarming.
See altering.
See appreciating.
See approving.
See aspiring.
See assisting.
See attempting.
See attending.
See bearing.
See befitting.
See beginning.
See believing.
See bleaching.
See bleeding.
See blemishing.
See blenching.
See blossoming.
See blushing.
See boding.
See branching.
See breathing.
See burning.
See calculating.
See ceasing.
See changing.
See charming.
See communicating.
See complaining.
See complying.
See conceiving.
See conducing.
See confessing.
See conniving.
See consenting.
See considering.
See conspiring.
See consulting.
See consuming.
See contending.
See contriving.
See conversing.
See convincing.
See dawning.
See decaying.
See delaying.
See depending.
See derogating.
See deserving.
See desiring.
See despairing.
See detesting.
See deviating.
See differencing.
See discerning.
See discording.
See discriminating.
See disobliging.
See dispensing.
See dissembling.
See dissolving.
See distinguishing.
See distracting.
See disturbing.
See doubting.
See dreading.
See drooping.
See ebbing.
See echoing.
See edifying.
See ending.
See enduring.
See engaging.
See enjoying.
See entering.
See enterprising.
See entertaining.
See envying.
See existing.
See fadging.
See fading.
See fainting.
See faltering.
See fearing.
See feigning.
See fighting.
See fitting.
See flagging.
See flattering.
See flinching.
See folding.
See forbearing.
See foreboding.
See foreseeing.
See forgiving.
See giving.
See grudging.
See harming.
See heeding.
See hesitating.
See hoping.
See hurting.
See importing.
See imposing.
See improving.
See interesting.
See intermitting.
See intoxicating.
See inviting.
See jarring.
See laboring.
See lingering.
See listening.
See loving.
See meddling.
See meriting.
See mistrusting.
See moving.
See murmuring.
See obliging.
See observing.
See offending.
See opening.
See pardoning.
See paying.
See perceiving.
See performing.
See perishing.
See pitying.
See pleasing.
See possessing.
See preaching.
See prepossessing.
See presuming.
See pretending.
See prevailing.
See prevaricating.
See profiting.
See promising.
See proving.
See quailing.
See questioning.
See reasoning.
See recalling.
See reclining.
See recurring.
See referring.
See reflecting.
See refunding.
See refusing.
See rejoicing.
See relaxing.
See relishing.
See remembering.
See repenting.
See repining.
See reproving.
See repulsing.
See resisting.
See resolving.
See resting.
See returning.
See rewarding.
See sanctifying.
See satisfying.
See searching.
See seeing.
See setting.
See shrinking.
See sinking.
See sleeping.
See slipping.
See slumbering.
See speaking.
See stinting.
See stirring.
See stooping.
See submitting.
See sufficing.
See suiting.
See surging.
See suspecting.
See sweating.
See swerving.
See sympathizing.
See tasting.
See thriving.
See tiring.
See toiling.
See trading.
See trembling.
See trespassing.
See trifling.
See vacillating.
See varying.
See walking.
See wandering.
See waning.
See wasting.
See wavering.
See weeping.
See winking.
See winning.
See withdrawing.
See withering.
See wondering.
See working.
See writing.
See yielding.
----- and the like. [ 1913 Webster ]

The above classes of words are unlimited in extent, and such compounds may be formed by any writer or speaker at will from almost all the adjectives or participles in the language, excepting those which have a recognized and usual negative correspondent with the prefix -in. No attempt will be made, therefore, to define them all in this Dictionary; many will be omitted from its Vocabulary which are negations of the simple word, and are readily explained by prefixing a not to the latter. Derivatives of these words in -ly and -ness will also, for the most part, be omitted for the same or similar reasons. [ 1913 Webster ]

There will be inserted as separate articles with definitions, the following: -- [ 1913 Webster ]

1. Those which have acquired an opposed or contrary, instead of a merely negative, meaning; as, unfriendly, ungraceful, unpalatable, unquiet, and the like; or else an intensive sense more than a prefixed not would express; as, unending, unparalleled, undisciplined, undoubted, unsafe, and the like. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Those which have the value of independent words, inasmuch as the simple words are either not used at all, or are rarely, or at least much less frequently, used; as, unavoidable, unconscionable, undeniable, unspeakable, unprecedented, unruly, and the like; or inasmuch as they are used in a different sense from the usual meaning of the primitive, or especially in one of the significations of the latter; as, unaccountable, unalloyed, unbelieving, unpretending, unreserved, and the like; or inasmuch as they are so frequently and familiarly used that they are hardly felt to be of negative origin; as, uncertain, uneven, and the like. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Those which are anomalous, provincial, or, for some other reason, not desirable to be used, and are so indicated; as, unpure for impure, unsatisfaction for dissatisfaction, unexpressible for inexpressible, and the like. [ 1913 Webster ]

II. Un- is prefixed to nouns to express the absence of, or the contrary of, that which the noun signifies; as, unbelief, unfaith, unhealth, unrest, untruth, and the like. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Compounds of this last class are given in full in their proper order in the Vocabulary. [ 1913 Webster ]