Doubt , 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.
Doubt is the beginning and the end of our efforts to
know.
Sir W. Hamilton. 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. 2. Uncertainty of condition.
Thy life shall hang in
doubt before thee.
Deut. xxviii. 66.
3. Suspicion; fear; apprehension; dread. [Obs.]
I stand in doubt of you.
Gal. iv. 20.
Nor slack her threatful hand for danger's doubt.
Spenser.
4. Difficulty expressed
or urged for solution; point unsettled; objection.
To every doubt your answer is the
same.
Blackmore. No doubt, undoubtedly; without doubt. - - Out of doubt, beyond doubt. [Obs.] Spenser.
Syn. -- Uncertainty; hesitation; suspense; indecision; irresolution; distrust; suspicion; scruple; perplexity; ambiguity; skepticism.
Doubt , 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.
To admire superior sense, and doubt their own!
Pope.
I doubt not that however changed, you keep
So much of what
is graceful.
Tennyson. To doubt not but.
I do not doubt but I
have been to blame.
Dryden. We doubt not now
But every rub is
smoothed on our way.
Shak. 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.
2. To suspect; to fear; to be apprehensive of. [Obs.]
Edmond [was a] good man and doubted God.
R. of Gloucester. I
doubt some foul play.
Shak. That I of doubted danger had no
fear.
Spenser.
3. To fill with fear; to affright. [Obs.]
The virtues of the valiant Caratach
More doubt me than all
Britain.
Beau. & Fl.
Doubt (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Dou&?;ted; 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.
Even in matters divine, concerning some things, we may lawfully doubt, and suspend our judgment.
Hooker. To try your love and make
you doubt of mine.
Dryden. 2. To suspect; to fear; to be apprehensive. [Obs.]
Syn. -- To waver; vacillate; fluctuate; hesitate; demur; scruple; question.
Hear it pronounced