Doubt
/daʊt/noun
A feeling of uncertainty or lack of conviction.
Did you know?In medieval times, doubt was often associated with witchcraft, suggesting the mind could be bewitched into uncertainty.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*dʰewb-
“to be in two minds or to hesitate.”
Latin
Latin
dubitare
“to doubt, hesitate, or be uncertain.”
Old French
Old French
doubte
“uncertainty, hesitation, or doubt.”
Middle English
Middle English
douten
“to be uncertain or to question.”
Modern English
English
doubt
“to feel uncertain about something.”