▪ I. misˈgiving, vbl. n.
[f. misgive v. + -ing1.]
The action of the vb. misgive; a feeling of mistrust, apprehension, or loss of confidence.
| 1601 Shakes. Jul. C. iii. i. 145 And my misgiuing still Falles shrewdly to the purpose. 1612 Bp. Hall Contempl, O.T. iv. Plagues of Egypt, His very misgiuing hardens him the more. 1705 Stanhope Paraphr. I. 75 [To] look stedfastly up to this Tribunal, without any manner of Misgiving or Concern. 1781 Cowper Conversat. 770 Conscious of her crimes, she feels instead A cold misgiving, and a killing dread. 1803–6 Wordsw. Ode Intim. Immort. 148 Blank misgivings of a Creature Moving about in worlds not realised. 1840 Dickens Old C. Shop i, I had a strong misgiving that his nightly absence was for no good purpose. 1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng. ii. I. 185 The bulk of the Scottish nation,..with many misgivings of conscience, attended the ministrations of the Episcopal clergy. 1883 H. Drummond Nat. Law in Spir. W. vii. (1884) 230 The misgiving which will creep..over the brightest faith. |
▪ II. misˈgiving, ppl. a.
[-ing2.]
That misgives; having misgivings.
| 1598 R. Tofte in Shaks. Cent. Praise 25 My misgiving minde presaging to me ill. 1646 P. Bulkeley Gosp. Covt. ii. 172 With a..misgiving heart, fearing lest our own mouth should judge us. 1711 M. Henry Forgiv. Sin Wks. 1857 II. 522 Sinners carry about with them a misgiving conscience. 1814 Wordsw. White Doe vi. 82 He heard, and with misgiving mind. 1845–6 Trench Huls. Lect. Ser. i. vii. 198 This is the true answer to every misgiving question of a like kind. |
Hence misˈgivingly adv., with misgiving.
| 1834 De Quincey Autob. Sk. Wks. 1854 II. 63 Misgivingly I went forwards, feeling..that..I was continually nearing a danger. 1850 L. Hunt Autobiog. ii. xi. 77 A reform in Parliament,..which the younger ones..advocated but fitfully and misgivingly. |