dubitation
nounUK /djuːbɪˈteɪʃən/ · US /ˌdu.bɪˈteɪ.ʃən/
Etymology From Late Middle English dubytacion, from Middle French dubitation, from Latin dubitātiō.
1
Archaic, Usually The process of doubting or the state of being in doubt; hesitation, uncertainty.
- I … Alle that my progenitouris hath … seyn, ffeythfully beleve withowtyn alle dubytacion.circa 1450, Coventry Mystery Plays, page 67 (Shakespeare Society; published 1841–53)
- The Chamæleon [...] eftir sum dubitatioun come to Striueling.1570, George Buchanan, Chamæleon, page 51:
1 more example
- All my dubitation and distress were gone, for I had something to do, although what I could not yet tell.1867, George MacDonald, chapter 32, in Annals of a Quiet Neighbourhood:
2
Obsolete, Usually A thing to be doubted; a matter that calls for doubt.
- The trewe inuocacion of God thorow Cryst, thei haue turned it into a dowtfull dubitacion.1545, George Joye, chapter 12, in The Exposicion of Daniel the Prophete:
3
Usually A pang or expression of doubt.
- Altercations, disputations and dubitations of, in and about Mystic Theologie.1683, John Pordage, edited by Edward Hooker, Theologica Mystica, or The Mystic Divinitie of the Æternal Invisibles, page 99:
- [T]he deep earnest soul of the man had fallen into all manner of black scruples, dubitations; he believed himself likely to die soon, and far worse than die.1841, Thomas Carlyle, chapter 4, in Heroes and Hero Worship:
1 more example
- Poor William Wylder had those special troubles which haunt nervous temperaments and speculative minds, when under the solemn influence of religion. [...] These terrors and dubitations are infections.1864, J[oseph] Sheridan Le Fanu, “An Evil Eye Looks on the Vicar”, in Wylder’s Hand. […], New York, N.Y.: Carleton, […], published 1865, →OCLC, pages 250–251:
- Synonyms
- doubtfulness
- Related terms
- dubious, dubitable, dubitate, dubitative