certeyn

Middle English

Alternative forms

• certain, certein, certayn, sertene

Etymology

From Old French certain, from Latin *certānus.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /sɛrˈtæi̯n/, /ˈsɛrtɛn/, /ˈsɛrtin/

Adjective

certeyn

1. Specified, prescribed, fixed.
2. Certain, particular (of a quantity or amount).
3. Real, true, verified, credulous, reliable.
   • c. 1368, Geoffrey Chaucer, The Book of the Duchess, as recorded c. 1440–1450 in Bodleian Library MS. Fairfax 16, folio 131r:

     Sende me grace to slepe and mete / In my slepe some certeyn sweven / Wher thorgh that I may knowe even / Whethir my lorde be quyke or ded

     Send me grace to sleep and dream / Some trustworthy dream in my sleep / Through which I might know exactly / Whether my lord is alive or dead.

4. Definite, probable (of an event or action).
5. Sure, certain.

Derived terms

• certeynly

Descendants

• English: certain
• Scots: certain

References

• “certain, adj.”, in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007, retrieved 16 March 2018.

Noun

certeyn

1. A specified or particular amount or object.
2. Reality, nature; that which is certain.
3. Certainty, surety, trust.

References

• “certain, n.”, in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007, retrieved 16 March 2018.

Adverb

certeyn

1. certainly, surely