1. Not held doubtful in respect of fact.
c. 1460. Fortescue, Abs. & Lim. Mon., v. (1885), 119. But we must holde it for vndouted, þat ther mey no reaume prospere … vndir a poure kynge.
1487. Hen. VII., in Ep. Acad. Oxon. (1898), II. 514. Yff ye will take hym as fore a scolare, as we hold it undowted ye wyll nott do.
1590. Swinburne, Testaments, 191. If it be certaine and vndoubted, that the testament is written or subscribed with the testators owne hand.
1634. Sir T. Herbert, Trav., 81. The mighty Army and vndoubted threats of the King.
1757. W. Wilkie, Epigon., Pref. p. iv. This is his undoubted privilege; and I have no intention to break in upon it.
1791. Cowper, Judgm. Poets, 36. Adorning May … With June’s undoubted right.
1839. T. Mitchell, Frogs of Aristoph., Introd. p. xci. It is the undoubted business of learned men to profit by those hints.
2. Of persons: Not called in question in respect of status or character.
c. 1460. Brut, II. 514. The general Counsel of Basil deposed Eugeny, which was only Pope & vndoubted.
1568. Grafton, Chron., II. 643. King Richard the seconde was the true and vndoubted heyre to the valiant Conquerour.
1593. Shaks., 3 Hen. VI., V. vii. 6. Three Dukes of Somerset, threefold Renowne, For hardy and vndoubted Champions.
1659. Pearson, Creed (1839), 173. It is true, at first he was subject … to his reputed father and undoubted mother.
a. 1718. Prior, Power, 464. He made Me to his Crimes undoubted Heir.
1751. Earl Orrery, Remarks Swift (1752), 14. She was … the concealed, but undoubted wife of Dr. Swift.
1827. Scott, Surg. Dau., iv. Mr. Gray is an undoubted judge … what person will best suit him as a professional assistant.
3. Not affected or impaired by doubt; absolute, complete.
1489. Cov. Leet Bk., 536. Wherin ye may be … ioyous and haue full trust and vndoubted affiance therunto.
1560. Daus, trans. Sleidane’s Comm., 182. Wherof … the Bisshops legat hath put him into an undoubted hope.
1813. Shelley, Q. Mab, IX. 82. Those delicate and timid impulses … with undoubted confidence disclosed The growing longings of … love.
4. About the nature of which no doubt is entertained; accepted as true, certain, or genuine.
1513. More, Rich. III., Wks. 61/1. This is his own countenance,… ye sure vndoubted image … of that noble Duke.
1577. Hanmer, Anc. Eccl. Hist., 56. The undoubted writings of Clement are apparent.
1665. J. Spencer, Vulg. Proph., 42. That natural wisdom,… of which the true prophets of God gave such undoubted evidences.
1710. Berkeley, Princ. Hum. Knowl., § 10. An undoubted truth, which they can demonstrate beyond all exception.
1808. L. Murray, Eng. Gram., I. 199. An historian of undoubted credit.
1897. J. W. Clark, Barnwell, Intr. 13. Relics of undoubted authenticity.
† b. Similarly with of. Obs.
1683. D. A., Art Converse, 40. ’Tis an undoubted of truth, that the greatest swearers are commonly the greatest liars.
† 5. As adv. = UNDOUBTEDLY adv. 1. Obs.
Common in the early part of the 16th cent.
a. 1500. Coventry Corpus Chr. Pl., I. 395. Ondowtid sche ys cum of hy parrage.
1523. Fitzherb., Husb., § 146. Vndouted a woman can-not gette her lyuynge honestely with spynnynge on the distaffe.
Hence Undoubtedness.
1691. W. Nicholls, Answ. Naked Gospel, Pref. C j. When he has full assurance of the undoubtedness of the Testimony.
