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incertitude

[in-sur-ti-tood, -tyood]
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noun
  1. uncertainty or doubtfulness.
  2. instability or insecurity: The incertitude of his position in life caused him to postpone marriage.
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Origin of incertitude

From the Late Latin word incertitūdō, dating back to 1595–1605. See in-3, certitude
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for incertitude

Historical Examples

  • There was no incertitude as to facts—as to the one material fact, I mean.

    Lord Jim

    Joseph Conrad

  • In his incertitude of the ground on which he stood Razumov felt perturbed.

    Under Western Eyes

    Joseph Conrad

  • His parents were already there living in sorrow, incertitude, and apprehension.

    Tales Of Hearsay

    Joseph Conrad

  • Clarke was truly in a pitiable state of incertitude and despair.

  • Her brain was nearly wearied out with incertitude and perplexity.

British Dictionary definitions for incertitude

incertitude

noun
  1. uncertainty; doubt
  2. a state of mental or emotional insecurity
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for incertitude

n.

mid-15c., "variability," from Middle French incertitude (14c.), from Late Latin incertitudinem (nominative incertitudo); see certitude. Incertain "uncertain" and incertainty "uncertainty" also were living words in Middle English.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper