DOUBT

I. verb Etymology: Middle English douten, from Anglo-French duter, douter, from Latin dubitare to be in ~; akin to Latin dubius dubious Date: 13th century transitive verb 1. archaic fear , suspect , to be in ~ about , 3. to lack confidence in ; distrust , to consider unlikely , intransitive verb to be uncertain, ~able adjective ~er noun ~ingly adverb II. noun Date: 13th century 1. uncertainty of belief or opinion that often interferes with decision-making, a deliberate suspension of judgment, a state of affairs giving rise to uncertainty, hesitation, or suspense , 3. a lack of confidence ; distrust , an inclination not to believe or accept , see: uncertainty