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Webster 1913 Edition


Uncertain

Un-cer′tain

(ŭn-sẽr′tĭn)
,
Adj.
[Pref.
un-
not +
certain
. Cf.
Incertain
.]
1.
Not certain; not having certain knowledge; not assured in mind; distrustful.
Chaucer.
Man, without the protection of a superior Being, . . . is
uncertain
of everything that he hopes for.
Tillotson.
2.
Irresolute; inconsonant; variable; untrustworthy;
as, an
uncertain
person; an
uncertain
breeze
.
O woman! in our hours of ease,
Uncertain
, coy, and hard to please!
Sir W. Scott.
3.
Questionable; equivocal; indefinite; problematical.
“The fashion of uncertain evils.”
Milton.
From certain dangers to
uncertain
praise.
Dryden.
4.
Not sure; liable to fall or err; fallible.
Soon bent his bow,
uncertain
in his aim.
Dryden.
Whistling slings dismissed the
uncertain
stone.
Gay.
Syn. – See
Precarious
.

Un-cer′tain

,
Verb.
T.
[1st pref.
un-
+
certain
; or fr.
uncertain
,
Adj.
]
To make uncertain.
[Obs.]
Sir W. Raleigh.

Webster 1828 Edition


Uncertain

UNCER'TAIN

, a.
1.
Not certain; doubtful; not certainly known. it is uncertain who will be the next president.
2.
Doubtful; not having certain knowledge.
man without the protection of a superior Being - is uncertain of every thing that he hopes for.
3.
Not sure in the consequence.
Or whistling slings dismiss'd the uncertain stone.
4.
Not sure; not exact.
Soon bent his bow, uncertain in his aim.
5.
Unsettled; irregular.