a. [UN-1 7.]
† 1. Not mixed with or qualified by doubt; firm, sure. Obs.
c. 1450. Oseney Reg., 161. Vndowtefull feith to þese presente writynges to ȝeve.
1508. Fisher, 7 Penit. Ps. li. Wks. (1876), 94. He promyseth very true and vndoubtefull hope to hymselfe of the desyre that he asketh.
a. 1626. W. Sclater, Exp. Rom. iv. (1650), 134. Sure … to us, in respect of our apprehension, and undoubtful perswasion.
2. Not admitting of doubt; free from any dubiety; positive, certain.
1533–4. Act 25 Hen. VIII., c. 22 § 2. The laufull matrimonie … shall be … taken for vndoubtfull, trewe, sincere, and perfecte.
1619. W. Sclater, Exp. 1 Thess. (1630), 22. Is the cleannesse of the outward life an vndoubtful euidence of the cleannesse of the heart?
1655. trans. Sorel’s Com. Hist. Francion, XII. 25. To render the affair more criminal and undoubtfull, I came hither.
1856. Mrs. Browning, Aur. Leigh, III. 539. A girl of doubtful life, undoubtful birth.
3. Not feeling doubt; certain (of something).
1613. Fletcher, etc., Hon. Man’s Fortune, I. i. Our husbands might have lookt into our thoughts, And made themselves undoubtfull.
1773. J. Ross, Fratricide, V. 630 (MS.). And … Justice bids go on Undoubtful of his patronizing pow’r.
Hence Undoubtfulness.
1619. W. Sclater, Exp. 1 Thess. (1630), 241. Some Foole I haue heard boasting of vndoubtfulnesse for the matter of their owne saluation.
