| 释义 |
doubtful, a.|ˈdaʊtfʊl|
[f. doubt n. + -ful.]
1. Of things: Involved in doubt or uncertainty; uncertain, undecided; indistinct, ambiguous.
1388Wyclif Ezek. xii. 24 Nether bifor tellyng of thing to comynge schal be douteful. c1440Promp. Parv. 129/2 Dowtefulle, dubius, ambiguus. 1513More in Grafton Chron. (1568) II. 762 Whereof he wist the ende was doubtfull. 1530Palsgr. 66 Sometyme as masculynes, sometyme as femynines: and therfore I calle theym of the doutfull gendre. 1551T. Wilson Logike (1580) 64 b, Deceiptfull arguments when a doubtfull worde is used. 1594Shakes. Rich. III, iv. iv. 493 You haue no cause to hold my friendship doubtfull. 1669Gale Crt. Gentiles i. i. x. 56 Whether he were a God or man, is doutful. 1712Addison Spect. No. 470 ⁋1 A doubtful Passage in a Latin Poet. 1839Thirlwall Greece VI. 93 It is very doubtful whether he saw Aristotle again. 1844–57G. Bird Urin. Deposits (ed. 5) 131 Highly coloured deposits..of doubtful origin.
b. Of uncertain issue.
1562J. Shute Cambine's Turk. Wars 14 The battayle was so doubtefull, that of neyther syde was there seane any advantage. 1665Manley Grotius Low C. Warres 673 And try the doubtful Chance of War. 1795Southey Joan of Arc vi. 342 Yet the fight Hung doubtful. 1813Scott Rokeby i. xix, I watched him through the doubtful fray.
c. Of questionable or equivocal character.
1838Prescott Ferd. & Is. ii. xvi. III. 253 She never employed doubtful agents or sinister measures. 1884G. Allen Philistia I. 3 A shabby composite tenement in a doubtful district of Marylebone.
d. Pros. Of varying quantity; that may be either long or short.
1871Public Sch. Lat. Gram. §218 Syllables which might..be either long or short, are called Doubtful.
2. Of persons: Divided or unsettled in opinion; in doubt; undetermined, uncertain, hesitating.
1509Fisher Fun. Serm. C'tess Richmond Wks. (1876) 292 Doutfull in her mynde, what she were best to do. 1526Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 213 b, How good counseyle they haue gyuen to the doutfull. 1576Fleming Panopl. Epist. 81 note, He was doubtfull howe Cæsar would take his doings. 1724De Foe Mem. Cavalier (1840) 281 The king was doubtful, and could not resolve. 1858Froude Hist. Eng. III. xiii. 122 He was doubtful of the prospects of the rebellion, and doubtful of his own conduct. 1875Jowett Plato (ed. 2) V. 122 He was doubtful..whether the ideal..state could be realized.
†3. To be dreaded or feared; awful, dread. Obs.
1397–8in Gregory's Chron. in Hist. Coll. Citizen Lond. (Camden) 98 To oure excellent ryght dowtfulle soverayne. Ibid. 99 Youre excellent and doughtfulle ryalle mageste. 1555–6in W. H. Turner Select. Rec. Oxford (1880) 240 The unfortunate end and doubtful tragedy of T.C.
†4. Giving cause for apprehensions. Obs.
c1400Lanfranc's Cirurg. 100 A crampe..þat is douteful or dredeful to do awey. 1513More in Grafton Chron. (1568) II. 822 That all thinges doubtfull should of his friendes be prudently forseen. 1637Heywood Royal Ship 22 Worthily they have demeaned themselves..eyther in doubtfull discoveries, or more dangerous Naumachies or Sea-fights. 1776Gibbon Decl. & F. I. 324 The consul..reported the doubtful and dangerous situation of the empire.
†5. Full of fear or apprehension; apprehensive. Obs.
1548Hall Chron., Edw. IV (an. 14) 233 b, Privilie enformed of y⊇ French kinges doubtfull imaginacion. 1579Spenser Sheph. Cal. May 294 Home when the doubtfull Damme had her hyde. 1603Knolles Hist. Turks (1621) 79 All this great fight the Constantinopolitanes beheld, with doubtfull hearts. 1723De Foe Col. Jack (1840) 156, I am doubtful that you may not believe. 1791Burke Corr. (1844) III. 253, I hear things which make me doubtful and anxious, though not afraid, absolutely.
6. as n. A doubtful person or thing.
1589Puttenham Eng. Poesie iii. xix. (Arb.) 234 Aporia or the Doubtfull. 1861Gen. P. Thompson Audi Alt. III. clxiv. 183 Whereby union might be effected..and the mass of doubtfuls brought into play. 1892Pall Mall G. 4 Mar. 7/1 The issue of the battle might rest with the ‘doubtfuls’.
Add:[1.] e. Not to be relied on; spec. liable to pull out of a (sporting) event, esp. through injury.
1925T. E. Lawrence Lett. (1938) 485 Don't put yourself about, expecting me, for I'm a doubtful starter. 1987Los Angeles Times (San Diego County ed.) 8 Dec. iii. 4/4 Davis will be listed as doubtful for Sunday's game. |