adv. [UN-1 11.]
1. In an uncertain or variable manner; at random, by chance or accident.
1387. Trevisa, Higden (Rolls), III. 217. Þese trowed þat al þing was vncertenliche i-made.
1530. Palsgr., 160. They use these sixe … uncertainly, somtyme of the masculyne gendre and somtyme of the feminyne.
1590. Sir J. Smyth, Disc. Weapons, 12. With the swelling of the salt water … they shall shoote verie vncertainlie.
1678. Cudworth, Intell. Syst., Pref. That Motion of Sensless Atoms Declining Uncertainly from the Perpendicular.
1737. Whiston, Josephus, Antiq., V. vii. § 7. The affairs of the Hebrews were managed uncertainly, and tended to disorder, and to the contempt of God.
b. At an indefinite time. rare–1.
1683. E. Hooker, Pref. Pordage’s Mystic Div., 25. When the inexorabl Messenger, whose Name is the First Death, shal com (as certenly, and yet, as uncertenly hee wil).
2. Without definite result, course, or aim.
1555. Eden, Decades (Arb.), 129. Whyle the matter was thus vncerteynly debated.
1567. Jewel, Def. Apol., 152. Therefore the Prieste iudginge that, yt he cannot know, muste needes wander vncertainely, and be a very doubteful Iudge.
1603. Holland, Plutarch’s Mor., 484. It were better for them to settle in any one certaine place whatsoever, than still to wander uncertainely upon the seas.
1662. Playford, Skill Mus., III. (1674), 38. Doing that safely and resolutely which others attempt timorously and uncertainly.
1696. Whiston, Th. Earth, III. (1722), 278. [They] floated in the Waters among one another uncertainly.
1883. Century Mag., XXVI. 44. The poor beast ran uncertainly in all directions.
3. Without clear or definite knowledge or statement; doubtfully, undecidedly.
1613. William I, in Harl. Misc. (Malh.), III. 144. The slaughter of the English is uncertainly reported.
1664. Pepys, Diary, 11 Nov. Some in Germany do derive themselves from the patrician families of Rome, but that uncertainly.
1742. Jura Ecclesiastica, II. 351. To that two great Objections were made, that this Custom is unreasonable in itself and uncertainly set forth.
1795. Phil. Trans., LXXXV. 154. I have perceived this phænomenon only eleven times with perfect certainty, and only a few other times uncertainly.
1860. Pusey, Min. Proph., 104. Joel foretold, not as uncertainly, not as anticipation, or hope, or longing, but absolutely and distinctly, that [etc.].
1878. Lady Brassey, Voy. Sunbeam, xv. 255. A group of low islets whose position is very uncertainly indicated in the charts.
