Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “doubting” come from?

Doubting derives from Middle English douten, from Old French douter, from Latin dubitare, ultimately from Latin duo meaning "two," reflecting the sense of mental wavering between two alternatives.

doubting (English): present participle of doubt; A condition of doubt

Definitions

  1. present participle of doubt; A condition of doubt

Ancestry of “doubting”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishdoubtTo be undecided about; to lack confidence in; to...
2Middle Englishdoutento be in doubt, feel unsure; to be afraid or...
3Old FrenchdouterAlternative form of doter
4Latindubitō—
5Latindubō—
6Latin*dubos—
7Indo-European*bʰuH-—

Words derived from “doubting”

  • doubtingly
  • undoubting
  • undoubtingly
Every word from Indo-European *bʰuH- →