beyond a doubt

- 3 dictionary results

doubt

[dout]

–verb (used with object)

1.	to be uncertain about; consider questionable or unlikely; hesitate to believe.

2.	to distrust.

3.	Archaic. to fear; be apprehensive about.

–verb (used without object)

4.	to be uncertain about something; be undecided in opinion or belief.

–noun

5.	a feeling of uncertainty about the truth, reality, or nature of something.

distrust.

7.	a state of affairs such as to occasion uncertainty.

8.	Obsolete. fear; dread.

—Idioms

9.	beyond the shadow of a doubt, with certainty; definitely. Also, beyond a doubt, beyond doubt.

10.	in doubt, in a state of uncertainty or suspense: His appointment to the position is still in doubt.

11.

no doubt,

probably.

b.	certainly: There is no doubt an element of truth in what you say.

12.	without doubt, unquestionably; certainly.

Origin:
1175–1225; (v.) ME douten < AF, OF douter < L dubitāre to waver, hesitate, be uncertain (freq. of OL dubāre), equiv. to dub- doubt + -it- freq. suffix + -āre inf. suffix; (n.) ME doute < AF, OF, deriv. of the v.

Related forms:

doubt⋅a⋅ble, adjective

doubt⋅a⋅bly, adverb

doubter, noun

doubt⋅ing⋅ly, adverb

doubt⋅ing⋅ness, noun

Synonyms:
1, 2. mistrust, suspect, question. 5. indecision, irresolution.

Usage note:
Doubt and doubtful may be followed by a subordinate clause beginning with that, whether, or if: I doubt that (or whether or if) the story is true. It is doubtful that (or whether or if) the story is true. There is some doubt that (or whether or if) the story is true. In negative or interrogative sentences, that almost always introduces the subordinate clause: I do not doubt that the story is true. Is it doubtful that the story is true? Is there any doubt that the story is true?
The expressions doubt but and doubt but that occur in all varieties of standard speech and writing: I don't doubt but she is sincere. There is no doubt but that the charges will affect his career. Doubt but what occurs mainly in informal speech and writing: There is no doubt but what the rainy weather will hurt the crops.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Word Origin & History

doubt

c.1225, from O.Fr. douter, from L. dubitare "hesitate, waver in opinion" (related to dubius "uncertain"), originally "to have to choose between two things." The sense of "fear" developed in O.Fr. and was passed on to Eng. The -b- was restored 14c. by scribes in imitation of L. Replaced O.E. tweogan (noun twynung), from tweon "two," on notion of "of two minds" or the choice of two implied in L. dubitare (cf. Ger. Zweifel "doubt," from zwei "two").

Idioms & Phrases

beyond a doubt

Also, beyond the shadow of a doubt. Certainly so, undoubtedly so, as in Beyond a doubt this is the best view of the valley. This phrase, along with the earlier without doubt (dating from c. 1300), asserts the truth of some statement. W.S. Gilbert's version, in The Gondoliers (1889), is: "Of that there is no manner of doubtno probable, possible shadow of doubtno possible doubt whatever." In this context shadow means "a trace or slight suggestion." Another variant is beyond a reasonable doubt. This phrase is often used in court when the judge instructs the jury that they must be convinced of the accused's guilt or innocence beyond a reasonable doubt; reasonable here means "logical and rational." Also see beyond question; no doubt.

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