Both Uses of
dubious
in
Nicholas Nickleby
- Miss Squeers glanced at the door, as if dubious of the propriety of advancing any nearer to an utter stranger; then round the schoolroom, as though in some measure reassured by the presence of forty boys; and finally sidled up to Nicholas and delivered the pen into his hand, with a most winning mixture of reserve and condescension.†
Chpt 9
- 'Yes,' said the collector, with a dubious shrug of his shoulders, 'He is gentlemanly, very gentlemanly—in appearance.'†
Chpt 15 *
Definition:
-
(dubious) doubtfulin various senses, including:
- questionable or doubtful that something should be relied upon -- as in "The argument relies on a dubious assumption."
- suspicious or doubtful that something is morally proper -- as in "The company is accused of using dubious sales practices to influence minors."
- bad or of questionable value -- as in "The state has the dubious distinction of the highest taxes."
- uncertain or doubtful -- as in "She is dubious about making the change."