Doubt
Pronunciation
- enPR: dout, IPA: /daÊŠt/
- Rhymes: -aÊŠt
Origin 1
Alternative forms
- dout obsolete
From Middle English douten, from Anglo-Norman douter, from Old French douter, from Latin dubitare. Replaced Middle English tweonien ("to doubt") (from Old English twēonian, compare Old English twēo ("doubt, duplicity")). The modern spelling is probably under the influence of Middle French doubter.
Full definition of doubt
Verb
- (ambitransitive) To lack confidence in; to disbelieve, question, or suspect.He doubted that was really what you meant.
- HookerEven in matters divine, concerning some things, we may lawfully doubt...
- DrydenTo try your love and make you doubt of mine.
- (archaic) To fear; to suspect.
- 1819, Lord Byron, Don Juan, I.186:He fled, like Joseph, leaving it; but there,
I doubt, all likeness ends between the pair. - (obsolete) To fear; to be apprehensive of.
- R. of GloucesterEdmond a good man and doubted God.
- ShakespeareI doubt some foul play.
- SpenserI of doubted danger had no fear.
- (obsolete) To fill with fear; to affright.
- 1861 , w, Silas Marner Chapter s:Silas Marner/Chapter 21, It's dark to me, Mrs Winthrop, that is; I doubt it'll be dark to the last.
- Beaumont and FletcherThe virtues of the valiant Caratach
More doubt me than all Britain.
Origin 2
Middle English doute, from Anglo-Norman and Old French doute, from Latin dubita. The modern spelling is probably under the influence of Middle French doubte.
Noun
doubt
(countable and uncountable; plural doubts)- Uncertainty, disbelief.There was some doubt as to who the child's real father was.