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certain definition

cer·tain (sʉrt′'n)

adjective

  1. fixed, settled, or determined
  2. sure (to happen, etc.); inevitable
  3. not to be doubted; unquestionable certain evidence
  4. not failing; reliable; dependable a certain cure
  5. controlled; unerring his certain aim
  6. without any doubt; assured; sure; positive certain of his innocence
  7. not named or described, though definite and perhaps known a certain person
  8. some, but not very much; appreciable to a certain extent

Etymology: ME & OFr < VL *certanus < L certus, determined, fixed, orig. pp. of cernere, to distinguish, decide, orig., to sift, separate: see harvest

pronoun

a certain indefinite number; certain ones (of) certain of these authors are seldom read
certain Idioms

for certain

as a certainty; without doubt

of a certain age

of an unspecified age, but no longer young: usually said of women

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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