doubtlessly
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English[edit]
Etymology[edit]
From Middle English doutelesly, dowtelesly, equivalent to doubtless + -ly.
Adverb[edit]
doubtlessly (comparative more doubtlessly, superlative most doubtlessly)
- (sometimes proscribed) Without question; indubitably.
- There are doubtlessly more insects than mammals.
- (obsolete) Without feeling doubt, without misgivings.
- c. 1587–1588, [Christopher Marlowe], Tamburlaine the Great. […] The First Part […], 2nd edition, part 1, London: […] [R. Robinson for] Richard Iones, […], published 1592, →OCLC; reprinted as Tamburlaine the Great (A Scolar Press Facsimile), Menston, Yorkshire, London: Scolar Press, 1973, →ISBN, Act II, scene vi:
- Some powers diuine, or els infernall, mixt
Their angry ſeedes at his conception:
For he was neuer ſprong of humaine race,
Since with the ſpirit of his fearefull pride,
He dares so doubtleſly reſolue of rule.
Usage notes[edit]
Sometimes considered a redundancy, as doubtless (without the -ly suffix) functions as an adverb with an identical meaning. The synonyms indubitably, undoubtedly, and unquestionably all require the -ly suffix.
Translations[edit]
doubtless — see doubtless