Doubt"ful (?), 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.
Methinks I should know you, and know
this man;
Yet I am doubtful.
Shak.
With doubtful feet and wavering resolution.
Milton. 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.
Beauty is but a vain and doubtful good.
Shak. 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. 3. Characterized by ambiguity; dubious; as, a
doubtful expression; a doubtful phrase.
4. Of uncertain issue or event.
We
. . . have sustained one day in doubtful fight.
Milton.
The strife between the two principles had been long, fierce, and doubtful.
Macaulay.
5. Fearful; apprehensive; suspicious. [Obs.]
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.
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