Search the Dictionary

Held by a doubtful tenure; depending on unknown causes or events; exposed to constant risk; not to be depended on for certainty or stability; uncertain; as, a precarious state of health; precarious fortunes. "Intervals of partial and precarious liberty." Macaulay.

Beginning; commencement. [Obs.] Doubting sad end of principle unsound. Spenser.

ainst; supported by evidence which inclines the mind to believe, but leaves some room for doubt; likely. That is accounted probable which has better arguments producible for it than can be brought against it. South. I do not say that the principles of religion are merely probable; I have before asserted them to be mora…

r stated for examination or proof; hence, a matter difficult of solution or settlement; a doubtful case; a question involving doubt. Bacon.

Having the nature of a problem; not shown in fact; questionable; uncertain; unsettled; doubtful. -- Prob`lem*at"ic*al*ly, adv. Diligent inquiries into remote and problematical guilt leave a gate wide open to . . . informers. Swift.

leep. "Profound sciatica." Shak. Of the profound corruption of this class there can be no doubt. Milman.

A provisional group in which are placed a number of low microscopic organisms of doubtful nature. Some are probably plants, others animals.

Skepticism; universal doubt.

Inquire; question; see; -- used to signify doubt or to suggest investigation.

A state of difficulty or perplexity; doubt; uncertainty.

A question in the mind; a doubt; as, I have a query about his sincerity.

Discussion; debate; hence, objection; dispute; doubt; as, the story is true beyond question; he obeyed without question. There arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying. John iii. 25. It is to be to question, whether it be lawful for Christian princes to make an invasive war simply…

Liable to question; subject to be doubted or called in question; problematical; doubtful; suspicious. It is questionable whether Galen ever saw the dissection of a human body.T. Baker.

The quality or state of being questionable, doubtful, or suspicious.

Beyond a question or doubt; doubtless; certainly.[R.] South. What it was in the apostles' time, that, questionless, it must be still. Milton.

d by as good arguments as a thing of that kind is capable of, we ought not, in reason, to doubt of its existence. Tillotson. -- It is reason, it is reasonable; it is right. [Obs.] Yet it were great reason, that those that have children should have greatest care of future times. Bacon.

en. By indubitable certainty, I mean that which doth not admit of any reasonable cause of doubting. Bp. Wilkins. Men have no right to what is not reasonable. Burke.

make amends for; to remedy; to relieve from. Those wrongs, those bitter injuries, . . . I doubt not but with honor to redress. Shak.

y and refinement, the more diffusive are they. Norris. From the civil war to this time, I doubt whether the corruptions in our language have not equaled its refinements. Swift.

xacting or enforcing; as, to remit the performance of an obligation. "The sovereign was undoubtedly competent to remit penalties." Macaulay.