disbosom (disbuzum)

t. [ Nugatory disbeliefs wound off and done with. I. Taylor . =Syn. 1. Disbelief, Unbelief, incredulity, distrust, skepticism, infidelity. Disbelief is more commonly used to expre an active mental opposition which does not imply a blameworthy disregard of evidence. Unbelief may be a simple failure to believe from lack of evidence or knowledge; but its theological use has given it also the force of wilful opposition to the truth. No sadder proof can be given by a man of his own littlene than a disbelief in great men. Carlyle, Hero-Worship, i. A disbelief in ghosts and witches was one of the most prominent characteristics of scepticism in the seventeenth century. Lecky, Rationalism, I. 37. I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 1 Tim. i. 13. Belief consists in accepting the affirmations of the soul; unbelief , in denying them. Emerson, Montaigne. disbelieve (dis-bē-lēv'), v.; pret. and pp. dis be lieved , ppr. disbelieving . [ dis -priv. + believe .] I. trans. To reject the truth or reality of; hold to be untrue or non-existent; refuse to credit. Such who profe to disbelieve a future state are not always equally satisfied with their own reasonings. Bp . Atterbury . I disbelieve that any one who is not himself full of love and tenderne has ever, since the world began, yet transmitted to another soul the truth that God is love. F. P. Cobbe , Ministry of Religion, p. 257. II. in trans . Not to believe; to deny the truth of any position; refuse to believe in some proposition or statement; especially, to refuse belief in a divine revelation. As doubt attacked faith, unbelief has avenged faith by destroying doubt. Men cease to doubt when they dis be lieve outright. Cardinal Manning. One who dis be one who denies