uncertain

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   ambiguous, especially preceded by a negative

   The judge spoke in no uncertain terms to the defendant.

2. 2
   adj

   lacking or indicating lack of confidence or assurance

   They were uncertain of their convictions.

3. 3
   adj

   not consistent or dependable

   an uncertain recollection of events

4. 4
   adj

   Not certain; unsure.

   Conſider man without the protection and conduct of a ſuperior Being, and he is ſecure of nothing that he enjoys in this world, and uncertain of every thing that he hopes for.

5. 5
   adj

   Not known for certain; questionable.

   Tomorrow's weather is uncertain.

6. 6
   adj

   Fitful or unsteady.

   Turning back, then, toward the basement staircase, she began to grope her way through blinding darkness, but had taken only a few uncertain steps when, of a sudden, she stopped short and for a little stood like a stricken thing, quite motionless save that she quaked to her very marrow in the grasp of a great and enervating fear.

7. 7
   adj

   Unpredictable or capricious.

   O, woman! in our hours of ease, / Uncertain, coy, and hard to please, / And variable as the shade / By the light quivering aspen made; […]

8. 8
   noun

   Something uncertain.

   Thinking about the uncertain refines our perception of the certain, and generally this takes place in a framework in which the uncertain is the future and the certain is the present.

Etymology

From Middle English uncerteyn. By surface analysis, un- + certain.