certain

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   Completely sure that something is true.

   I am certain that I locked the door.

2. 2
   adj

   Sure to happen and impossible to avoid.

   It is certain that prices will rise next year.

3. 3
   adj

   Particular but not named or described in detail.

   Certain people in the room disagreed with the plan.

From Middle English certeyn, certein, certain, borrowed from Old French certain, from a Vulgar Latin unattested form *certānus, extended form of Latin certus (“fixed, resolved, certain”), of the same origin as cretus, past participle of cernere (“to separate, perceive, decide”). Displaced native Middle English wis, iwis (“certain, sure”) (from Old English ġewiss (“certain, sure”)) and alternative Middle English spelling sertane (“some, certain”).

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