Part 3420

<hw>Doubt"a*ble</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <ety>[OF. <ets>doutable</ets>, L. <ets>dubitabilis</ets>, from <ets>dubitare</ets>. Cf. <er>Dubitable</er>.]</ety>

<p><b>1.</b> <def>Capable of being doubted; questionable.</def>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>Worthy of being feared; redoubtable.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<h1>Doubtance</h1> <Xpage=447>

<hw>Doubt"ance</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[OF. <ets>doutance</ets>. Cf. <er>Dubitancy</er>.]</ety> <def>State of being in doubt; uncertainty; doubt.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<i>Chaucer.</i>

<h1>Doubter</h1> <Xpage=447>

<hw>Doubt"er</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <def>One who doubts; one whose opinion is unsettled; one who scruples.</def>

<h1>Doubtful</h1> <Xpage=447>

<hw>Doubt"ful</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <p><b>1.</b> <def>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>as, we are <ex>doubtful</ex> of a fact, or of the propriety of a measure</as>.</def>

<blockquote>Methinks I should know you, and know this man; Yet I am <b>doubtful</b>. <i>Shak.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote>With <b>doubtful</b> feet and wavering resolution. <i>Milton.</i></blockquote>

<hr> <page="448"> Page 448<p>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>Admitting of doubt; not obvious, clear, or certain; questionable; not decided; not easy to be defined, classed, or named; <as>as, a <ex>doubtful</ex> case, hue, claim, title, species, and the like</as>.</def>

<blockquote>Beauty is but a vain and <b>doubtful</b> good. <i>Shak.</i></blockquote>

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

<p><b>3.</b> <def>Characterized by ambiguity; dubious; <as>as, a <ex>doubtful</ex> expression; a <ex>doubtful</ex> phrase.</as></def>

<p><b>4.</b> <def>Of uncertain issue or event.</def>

<blockquote>We . . . have sustained one day in <b>doubtful</b> fight. <i>Milton.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote>The strife between the two principles had been long, fierce, and <b>doubtful</b>. <i>Macaulay.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>5.</b> <def>Fearful; apprehensive; suspicious.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<blockquote>I am <b>doubtful</b> that you have been conjunct And bosomed with her. <i>Shak.</i></blockquote>

<syn>Syn. -- Wavering; vacillating; hesitating; undetermined; distrustful; dubious; uncertain; equivocal; ambiguous; problematical; questionable.</syn>

<h1>Doubtfully</h1> <Xpage=448>

<hw>Doubt"ful*ly</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>adv.</tt> <def>In a doubtful manner.</def>

<blockquote>Nor did the goddess <b>doubtfully</b> declare. <i>Dryden.</i></blockquote>

<h1>Doubtfulness</h1> <Xpage=448>

<hw>Doubt"ful*ness</hw>, <tt>n.</tt>