mistrustn.
/ˌmɪsˈtrʌst/, U.S. /ˌmɪsˈtrəst/ Lack of trust or confidence; suspicion, distrust; an instance of this. Formerly also: †doubt as to the truth or probability of a thing (obsolete). Usually with of, in, †to.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > lack of confidence, distrust, suspicion > [noun]
ortrowthc1175
ortrowa1200
untrust?c1225
suspicion1303
suspectiona1340
mistrowa1375
overtrowa1375
misfaitha1382
jealousyc1385
suspectc1386
misdoubtingc1390
untrist1390
mistrowinga1393
mistrusta1393
mistrista1400
supposinga1400
untrestc1400
wantrustc1405
diffidencea1425
misdeemingc1450
untrustingc1450
discredence?a1475
surmise1509
suspensea1513
diffidency1537
distrust1548
distrusting1549
misdoubt1558
discredit1567
misgiving1582
scruple1597
disconfidence1620
inconfidence1627
disaffiance1631
non-fiance1643
defiance1662
suspiciencya1690
reservation1719
disfaith1870
méfiance1876
a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) ii. 53 No mistrust I have of hire.
a1425 (c1385) G. Chaucer Troilus & Criseyde (1987) ii. 780 For evere som mystrust or nice strif Ther is in love, som cloude is over that sonne.
1493 Chastysing Goddes Chyldern (de Worde) xiv. sig. Civ/2 No man shall haue mystrust of foryeuenesse of what someuer synne man hathe done.
a1500 (a1450) Generides (Trin. Cambr.) 5760 (MED) To you..now haue I noo mystrost.
c1515 Ld. Berners tr. Bk. Duke Huon of Burdeux (1882–7) lxxxi. 247 I had no mystruste in him.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Julius Caesar (1623) v. iii. 65 Mistrust of good successe hath done this deed. View more context for this quotation
1677 A. Marvell Let. 24 May in Poems & Lett. (1971) II. 201 I sent for you hither to prevent mistakes and mistrusts.
a1699 E. Stillingfleet Serm. xlii, in Wks. (1710) V. 640 The mistrust Men have of themselves would make their Fears over-balance their Hopes.
1748 S. Richardson Clarissa III. xii. 87 The devil's in't, if I don't banish even the shadow of mistrust from her heart.
1796 Monthly Mag. Apr. 200/1 The people no longer view them with..mistrust, or unbrotherly emotions.
1854 H. H. Milman Hist. Lat. Christianity III. viii. ii. 296 These decrees were sent to the Pope, with a significant menace, which implied great mistrust in his firmness.
1876 H. James Roderick Hudson x. 358 The poor lady's suppressed mistrust of the Eternal City broke out passionately.
1919 P. G. Wodehouse Their Mutual Child i. xii. 128 His experiences of late had developed in him an unwonted mistrust of his powers.
1982 A. S. Dale Outl. Sanity ii. 16 Gilbert himself came to share his generation's mistrust of many of Macaulay's ideas.
2000 Independent 18 Mar. (Weekend Review section) 8/6 Strong and Marber..reveal a duo whose mutual mistrust..is ritualised..in a driven parody of a joshing, quick-talking double-act.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2002; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
mistrustv.
/ˌmɪsˈtrʌst/, U.S. /ˌmɪsˈtrəst/ 1. intransitive. To be distrustful, suspicious, or without confidence. Also: †to lack trust in, to be doubtful of (obsolete). Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > lack of confidence, distrust, suspicion > be mistrustful, suspect [verb (intransitive)]
ortrowOE
souche1338
defyc1380
mistrusta1382
distrust1430
misdeema1450
misgive1567
misdoubt1580
suspect1593
savour1594
disconfide1627
suspicion1905
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Bodl. 959) (1965) Psalms Prol. l. 73 To mystrosten of forȝyuenesse & of þe mercy of god.
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Bodl. 959) (1969) Baruch i. 17 We han not leeued, mystrostande in to hym.
a1438 Bk. Margery Kempe (1940) i. 83 (MED) The preste had gret trost þat it was þe werk of God, &, whan he wolde mystrostyn, owyr Lord sent hym swech tokenys, [etc.].
1570 P. Levens Manipulus Vocabulorum sig. Qiv/2 To Mistruste, diffidere.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Taming of Shrew (1623) iii. i. 49 In time I may beleeue, yet I mistrust . View more context for this quotation
1665 Deposition in B. Cusack Everyday Eng. (1998) 151 [Massachusetts] I begune to mistrust and thinke it was no crow.
1711 M. Prior Henry & Emma 352 Near thee, mistrust not, constant I'll abide.
1725 W. Broome in A. Pope et al. tr. Homer Odyssey I. ii. 116 At once the gen'rous train complies, Nor fraud mistrusts in virtue's fair disguise.
1896 Godey's Mag. Apr. 391/2 Until I noticed..your confusion over your name, I never mistrusted.
1928 D. H. Lawrence Lady Chatterley's Lover xiv. 246 That's how I've got into all the trouble. And that's why my mind mistrusts so thoroughly.
2.
a. transitive. To have no confidence in, be suspicious of (a person); to suspect the actions, intentions, or motives of.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > lack of confidence, distrust, suspicion > mistrust, suspect [verb (transitive)] > lack confidence in
mistristc1390
mistrustc1390
distrust1548
misdain1558
misdoubtc1592
c1390 G. Chaucer Melibeus 2949 I conseille yow that ye mystruste nat my lord, for I woot wel..that he is debonaire.
a1425 (c1385) G. Chaucer Troilus & Criseyde (1987) iv. 1606 I see wel now that ye mystrusten [v.r. mistrostyn] me, For by youre wordes it is wel yseene.
a1500 (a1450) Generides (Trin. Cambr.) 5695 (MED) Me to mystroste trewly she is vnkynd.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Edward V f. xxjv For whom mistrusted he that mistrusted his awne brother?
a1616 W. Shakespeare Merry Wives of Windsor (1623) v. v. 132 I will neuer mistrust my wife againe, till thou art able to woo her in good English. View more context for this quotation
1725 D. Defoe New Voy. round World ii. 23 Had it been a Spanish Ship, they wou'd not have mistrusted him.
1786 R. Burns Poems & Songs (1968) I. 267 I'm no mistrusting Willie Pit.
1847 C. Brontë Jane Eyre III. vi. 142 I mistrust you still: though you have borne up wonderfully so far.
1861 W. M. Thackeray Four Georges iii. 141 She kept her household lonely and in gloom, mistrusting almost all people who came about her children.
1915 J. Buchan Thirty-nine Steps iii. 59 An old shepherd and his dog—a wall-eyed brute that I mistrusted.
1987 A. Pryce-Jones Bonus of Laughter vi. 70 My father mistrusted all foreigners, unless they were Nigerians.
b. transitive (reflexive). To be doubtful as to one's own powers or capabilities; to lack confidence in oneself. Formerly also: †to suspect oneself of something (obsolete).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > fear > apprehension > be apprehensive [verb (reflexive)] > be unassured
mistrust1552
1552 H. Latimer Serm. (1584) 299 Mistrusting himselfe and hys owne doynges, and trusting in the merites of Christ.
1587 A. Fleming et al. Holinshed's Chron. (new ed.) III. 1212/1 They mistrusted themselues,..their minds being suddenlie altered, they returned.
1616 B. Jonson Epicœne iv. i, in Wks. I. 566 If you appeare learned to an ignorant wench,..why shee presently begins to mistrust her selfe. View more context for this quotation
1704 R. Steele Lying Lover i. 2 I horridly mistrust myself.
1747 S. Richardson Clarissa I. xx. 134 That modesty and humility would therefore oblige me rather to mistrust myself of peculiarity.
1875 H. E. Manning Internal Mission of Holy Ghost viii. 217 Our need to watch over ourselves and to mistrust ourselves, and to trust in God alone.
1897 B. Stoker Dracula xiv. 192 The groove ceased to avail me, and I mistrusted myself.
1999 Bright Lights Film Jrnl. (Electronic ed.) Nov.–Dec. Issue 26 You mistrust yourself then? Yes, that's right. I mistrust myself, not the journalist.
3. transitive. To entertain suspicions with regard to, have doubts about (a thing); to doubt the truth, validity, or genuineness of.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > lack of confidence, distrust, suspicion > mistrust, suspect [verb (transitive)]
mistrowOE
overtrowa1225
ortrow?c1225
susposea1325
souchec1325
supposec1384
mistrestc1415
mistrusta1425
mistraista1450
suspecta1500
mistrust1565
misdoubt1570
surmisec1571
fear1578
diffide1583
doubt1586
uncredit1615
disdoubt1659
jealouse1682
jalouse1816
suspicion1834
sus1953
a1425 (c1385) G. Chaucer Troilus & Criseyde (1987) i. 688 And witteth wel that bothe two ben vices, Mistrusten [v.r. Mistrostyn] alle or elles alle leve.
c1426 J. Audelay Poems (1931) 119 (MED) To God hit is most hye trespace To mystrost His mercy and grace.
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection iii. sig. KKKviii Mystruste nat the goodnesse of god.
1529 T. More Dialogue Heresyes i, in Wks. 123/2 The messenger thynketh that he may well mistrust & deny the myracles.
1602 J. Marston Hist. Antonio & Mellida v. sig. I When I see one..wallowe in a greate sloppe, I mistrust the proportion of his thigh.
1615 F. Bacon Speech Undertakers in Wks. (1826) VI. 20 As gamesters use to call for new cards, when they mistrust a pack.
1643 Sir T. Browne Religio Medici (authorized ed.) i. §19. 44 The villany of that spirit..by demonstrating a naturality in one way, makes us mistrust a miracle in another. View more context for this quotation
1742 W. Ellis London & Country Brewer (ed. 4) I. 15 Such Waters ought to be mistrusted more than any, where they are not pure, clear, and soft.
1759 O. Goldsmith Bee 27 Oct. 103 For my part, I am ever ready to mistrust a promising title.
1848 E. Bulwer-Lytton Harold II. v. v. 44 Mistrust the wisdom that sees only the things of the daylight.
1860 C. M. Yonge Cameos lx, in Monthly Packet Sept. 231 Juan mistrusted this advice.
1906 J. Galsworthy Man of Prop. ii. iv. 163 He had mistrusted the idea from the first.
1996 Daily Tel. 22 May 19/7 Hope she mistrusts; happiness is to be treated with some caution, since it inevitably has to be paid for.
4. † b. transitive. To suspect the existence of or anticipate the occurrence of (something undesirable). Obsolete.† c. transitive. With object and infinitive: to suspect (a person) to be or do something. Obsolete.† d. transitive. To have an inkling of (what is the matter). Obsolete. rare.
a. transitive. To suspect (that something has happened, will happen, or is the case). Frequently with clause as object. Now regional.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > lack of confidence, distrust, suspicion > mistrust, suspect [verb (transitive)] > that something is so
mistrust?c1450
misdeem1534
misdoubt1596
misconceive1611
distrust1628
?c1450 tr. Bk. Knight of La Tour Landry (1906) 35 (MED) The brother tolde her husbonde, the whiche all his lyff after mistrusted that his wiff had done amys.
1555 R. Eden Two Viages into Guinea in tr. Peter Martyr of Angleria Decades of Newe Worlde f. 358v Not mystrustynge that that shulde haue hyndered theyr bargenynge.
1615 E. S. Britaines Busse E 4 Except the Dutch should proove more froward and fond then I can yet mistrust.
1621 M. Wroth Countesse of Mountgomeries Urania 475 Shee mistrusted I loued a brother of hers.
1674 H. Prideaux Lett. (1875) 18 It is feared..that he will speedyly be mad, if he is not soe already, which his actions doe make every on mistrust.
1748 S. Richardson Clarissa VI. lii. 198 She mistrusted, that I was the advancer of the money.
1784 E. Allen Reason v. §1. 185 Nor is it a rational supposition that the commonality of mankind would ever have mistrusted, that their reason was depraved, had they not been told so.
a1813 H. Cowley Town before You iv. iv, in Wks. (1813) II. 391 Then that strapping Wench that I did let in the other morning is, all the while, what I more than half mistrusted mysel..—a lubberly lout of a Man!
1861 O. W. Holmes Elsie Venner vii. 73 I mistrusted he didn't mean to come.
1867 Harper's Mag. July 147/1 They have left the Atlantic coast, given up by physicians as in the last stage of consumption—a fact that would never be mistrusted from their present robust condition.
1891 H. Johnston Kilmallie II. 124 Little good I mistrust will he do them.
1904 T. Roosevelt in J. A. Riis Theodore Roosevelt viii. 187 I mistrust that it scared the Spaniard almost as much as our charge did.
1975 J. Gould Maine Lingo 182 ‘I mistrusted you might come today!’ means a premonition is fulfilled.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > fear > apprehension > be apprehensive [verb (transitive)]
mishopea1250
misforgivea1425
suspect1509
misgivea1535
mistrust1535
to have one's heart in one's mouth1548
misdread1566
fear1600
apprehend1609
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > lack of confidence, distrust, suspicion > mistrust, suspect [verb (transitive)] > something evil
misdeem1450
mistrust1535
misdoubt?c1550
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Judges viii. 11 The hoost was carelesse, and mystrusted nothinge.
1590 ‘Pasquil’ First Pt. Pasquils Apol. sig. Bv No such largesse could be looked for at the hands of her Ma[iestie]..no fingring of Spanish coyne mought be mistrusted.
1598 R. Barret Theorike & Pract. Mod. Warres i. 2 To shake off securitie, to mistrust the worst.
1603 J. Florio tr. M. de Montaigne Ess. i. vi. 12 They were all asleepe mistrusting no harme.
1728 J. Morgan Compl. Hist. Algiers I. iii. 238 The poor Prince,..mistrusting no Treachery was easily surprised.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > lack of confidence, distrust, suspicion > mistrust, suspect [verb (transitive)]
mistrowOE
overtrowa1225
ortrow?c1225
susposea1325
souchec1325
supposec1384
mistrestc1415
mistrusta1425
mistraista1450
suspecta1500
mistrust1565
misdoubt1570
surmisec1571
fear1578
diffide1583
doubt1586
uncredit1615
disdoubt1659
jealouse1682
jalouse1816
suspicion1834
sus1953
1565 T. Cooper Thesaurus Suspectus in aliqua virgine, Mistrusted to be ouer familiar with a mayden.
1606 G. W. tr. Justinus Hist. 108 Mistrusting himselfe to be deceiued by some cautel treason.
1715 Boston News-let. 29 Aug. 2/2 He found about 70 of the Indians, whom he mistrusted to have killed the Planter and his Family.
1777 Boston Gaz. 10 Nov. 3/3 He said he was taking his Way to Boston, but is mistrusted to be going to Long or Rhode Island.
ΚΠ
1707 tr. P. Le Lorrain de Vallemont Curiosities in Husbandry & Gardening 204 Mistrusting what it ail'd, I took the Pot out of the Water.
1898 A. Nicholas Idyl of Wabash 188 Before early apples were ripe I mistrusted what was keeping him.
Derivatives
misˈtrusted adj.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > lack of confidence, distrust, suspicion > [adjective] > arousing or deserving of suspicion
suspecta1300
of suspicion1340
suspect1340
suspicious1340
untrusted1552
suspectiousa1558
suspected1559
suspected to1571
mistrusted1592
mistrustful1593
suspectful1603
slight1607
suspicable1614
distrustful1618
suspicionable1692
jealoused1695
suspectable1748
untrustable1862
funny1903
sus1958
hinky1961
sussy1965
1592 R. Greene Pandosto (new ed.) sig. B Hoping that now he shoulde be fully reuenged of such mistrusted iniuries.
1876 H. James Roderick Hudson ix. 313 ‘Oh exquisite virtue of circumstance!’ cried Rowland to himself, ‘that takes us by the hand and..beguiles us into testing mistrusted faculties!’
1995 N.Y. Rev. Bks. 6 Apr. 46/1 The President of Mexico has arrested his predecessor's brother for complicity in the murder of a mistrusted capo in the Institutional Revolutionary Party.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2002; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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