Page 1 of 1

indubitably

Posted: Thu Oct 10, 2013 10:59 am
by William Hupy
This word is without any doubt a negative orphan. Or is it? Even though its adverse exists, I, without a doubt, have never heard it said. It may be dubitable but I maybe heard dubitable.

Re: indubitably

Posted: Thu Oct 10, 2013 11:10 am
by Slava
It began life as an orphan, but got an offspring. Etymonline says indubitable is from the mid-15th century, and dictionary.com gives a first quarter 17th century origin for dubitable. I'm no professional, but I'd say that makes it a back formation.

Re: indubitably

Posted: Thu Oct 10, 2013 4:49 pm
by Perry Lassiter
It is undoubtedly from the same source as undoubtable!