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hing unknown. Our shepherd's case is every man's case that quits a moral certainty for an uncertainty. L'Estrange.

The quality or state of being ambiguous; doubtfulness or uncertainty, particularly as to the signification of language, arising from its admitting of more than one meaning; an equivocal word or expression. No shadow of ambiguity can rest upon the course to be pursued. I. Taylor. The words are of single signification, w…

Doubt; uncertainty. [Obs.] Shelford.

In an anxious manner; with painful uncertainty; solicitously.

To shake or agitate. "Concussed with uncertainty." Daniel.

To waver in opinion or judgment; to be in uncertainty as to belief respecting anything; to hesitate in belief; to be undecided as to the truth of the negative or the affirmative proposition; to b e undetermined. Even in matters divine, concerning some things, we may lawfully doubt, and suspend our judgment. Hooker. To…

State of being in doubt; uncertainty; doubt. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Uncertainty of meaning; ambiguity; indefiniteness. " The doubtfulness of his expressions." Locke.

Doubtfulness; uncertainty; doubt. [R.] Lamb. "The dubiety of his fate." Sir W. Scott.

Doubt; uncertainty. [R.] Hammond.

To be in agitation; to move irregularly; to flucttuate; to be uncertainty. Long we fluttered on the wings of doubtful success. Howell. His thoughts are very fluttering and wandering. I. Watts.

Uncertainty; instability. Johnson.

To stop or pause respecting decision or action; to be in suspense or uncertainty as to a determination; as, he hesitated whether to accept the offer or not; men often hesitate in forming a judgment. Pope.

Uncertainty. [Obs.] Shak.

Uncertainty; doubtfulness; doubt. The incertitude and instability of this life. Holland. He fails . . . from mere incertitude or irresolution. I. Taylor.

Want of distinction or distinguishableness; confusion; uncertainty; indiscrimination. The indistinction of many of the same name . . . hath made some doubt. Sir T. Browne. An indistinction of all persons, or equality of all orders, is far from being agreeable to the will of God. Sprat.

Inexactness; uncertainty; as, geographical inexactitude.

The state of feeling insecure; uncertainty; want of confidence. With what insecurity of truth we ascribe effects . . . unto arbitrary calculations. Sir T. Browne. A time of insecurity, when interests of all sorts become objects of speculation. Burke.

lso, to sustain a loss without sinking under it. -- To be at a loss, to be in a state of uncertainty.

Possibility; uncertainty. [R.] What they offer is mere maybe and shift. Creech.