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Where does the word "doubt" come from? It comes from Latin dubitare, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).
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Where does the word "doubt" come from? It comes from Latin dubitare, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).
Doubt’s story begins in Latin: dubitare meant “to waver.” Related to 'duo', two: being of two minds. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as doter. The silent 'b' was added in the 1400s to match Latin. It reached English by 1200s as doubt. Also meant 'to fear' in early English. Today, doubt means to feel uncertain about.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient dubitare "to waver", related to 'duo', two: being of two minds.
- Stage 2 · Old French · medieval doter "to doubt; to fear", the silent 'b' was added in the 1400s to match Latin.
- Stage 3 · English · 1200s doubt "to be uncertain", also meant 'to fear' in early English.