I. ˈsər-t ə n adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Vulgar Latin * certanus, from Latin certus, from past participle of cernere to sift, discern, decide; akin to Greek krinein to separate, decide, judge, Old Irish criathar sieve
Date: 13th century
1. : fixed , settled
a certain percentage of the profit
2. : of a specific but unspecified character, quantity, or degree
the house has a certain charm
3.
a. : dependable , reliable
a certain remedy for the disease
b. : known or proved to be true : indisputable
it is certain that we exist
4.
a. : inevitable
the certain advance of age
b. : incapable of failing : destined — used with a following infinitive
she is certain to do well
5. : assured in mind or action
I am certain they are right
Synonyms: see sure
•
- for certain
- of a certain age
II. pronoun, plural in construction
Date: 15th century
: certain ones