Part 3419

<hw>Doubt</hw>, <tt>v. t.</tt> <p><b>1.</b> <def>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>as, I have heard the story, but I <ex>doubt</ex> the truth of it</as>.</def>

<blockquote>To admire superior sense, and <b>doubt</b> their own! <i>Pope.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote>I <b>doubt</b> not that however changed, you keep So much of what is graceful. <i>Tennyson.</i></blockquote>

<cs><col>To doubt not but</col>. <blockquote>I do <b>not doubt but</b> I have been to blame. <i>Dryden.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote>We <b>doubt not</b> now <b>But</b> every rub is smoothed on our way. <i>Shak.</i></blockquote>

<note>That is, we have no doubt to <i>prevent</i> us from believing, etc. (or notwithstanding all that may be said to the contrary) -- <i>but</i> having a preventive sense, after verbs of "doubting" and "denying" that convey a notion of hindrance.</note> <i>E. A. Abbott.</i></cs>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>To suspect; to fear; to be apprehensive of.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<blockquote>Edmond [was a] good man and <b>doubted</b> God. <i>R. of Gloucester.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote>I <b>doubt</b> some foul play. <i>Shak.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote>That I of <b>doubted</b> danger had no fear. <i>Spenser.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>3.</b> <def>To fill with fear; to affright.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<blockquote>The virtues of the valiant Caratach More <b>doubt</b> me than all Britain. <i>Beau. & Fl.</i></blockquote>

<h1>Doubt</h1> <Xpage=447>

<hw>Doubt</hw>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[OE. <ets>dute</ets>, <ets>doute</ets>, F. <ets>doute</ets>, fr. <ets>douter</ets> to doubt. See <er>Doubt</er>, <tt>v. i.</tt>]</ety>

<p><b>1.</b> <def>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.</def>

<blockquote><b>Doubt</b> is the beginning and the end of our efforts to know. <i>Sir W. Hamilton.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote><b>Doubt</b>, 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. <i>Wharton.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>Uncertainty of condition.</def>

<blockquote>Thy life shall hang in <b>doubt</b> before thee. <i>Deut. xxviii. 66.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>3.</b> <def>Suspicion; fear; apprehension; dread.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<blockquote>I stand in <b>doubt</b> of you. <i>Gal. iv. 20.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote>Nor slack her threatful hand for danger's <b>doubt</b>. <i>Spenser.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>4.</b> <def>Difficulty expressed or urged for solution; point unsettled; objection.</def>

<blockquote>To every <b>doubt</b> your answer is the same. <i>Blackmore.</i></blockquote>

<cs><col>No doubt</col>, <cd>undoubtedly; without doubt.</cd> -- <col>Out of doubt</col>, <cd>beyond doubt. <mark>[Obs.]</mark></cd></cs>

<i>Spenser.</i>

<syn>Syn. -- Uncertainty; hesitation; suspense; indecision; irresolution; distrust; suspicion; scruple; perplexity; ambiguity; skepticism.</syn>

<h1>Doubtable</h1> <Xpage=447>