Middle English Dictionary Entry

certain adj.
Quotations: Show all Hide all

Entry Info

Forms certain adj. Also certein, -en, -in, -an, sertain & sartain.
Etymology OF

Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)

1.
(a) Specified, fixed, prescribed (time, place, amount, quantity); (b) fixed, determined (bounds, limit, measure); (c) definite, stipulated, binding (agreement, rule, etc.); determinate (cause); (d) specifically authorized (legal agent), special; (e) specified (item); (f) limited, precise, specific.
Show 32 Quotations
2.
(a) A definite but unspecified extent of (time); a certain (time); (b) a definite but unspecified amount of (gold, silver); a ~ moneie, a certain amount of money; (c) a definite but unspecified number of (units).
Show 14 Quotations
3.
(a) Particular as to kind; specific as to identity; a certain (person, thing, quality, etc.); (b) some certain particular or specific (persons, things, etc.); (c) other ~, certain other; (d) gram. specifying a particular person, specific.
Show 34 Quotations
4.
(a) Of things: real, genuine; (b) of a report, a story: true, trustworthy; (c) of a sign, a dream: true, significant.
Show 11 Quotations
5.
(a) Of events: sure to occur, inevitable, predetermined; of certain, inevitably; (b) of actions: sure to succeed, safe; (c) of the control of events: fixed, invariable; (d) of Fortune: stonden at ~, remain stable; (e) of Hope: invariable, dependable.
Show 15 Quotations
6.
Of propositions, statements, ideas, advice: true, indubitable, reliable; holden for ~, regard as true or indubitable; ~ soth, established truth; for ~ soth, in fact; at the certainest, most certainly.
Show 12 Quotations
7.
Of attitudes, comprehension, etc.: (a) ben certein, to be sure, convinced, or confident; ~ of faith, firm or steadfast in the faith; (b) ben ~ of, to feel sure of (sb.), have confidence in, trust; (c) ben in ~, ben at a ~, to feel sure, be confident; (d) knouen of ~, to know for sure; (e) maken ~, to assure (oneself), make sure.
Show 22 Quotations
8.
Of persons: (a) reliable, trustworthy; also, loyal; (b) legitimate (ruler); (c) sure of one's art or skill, accomplished, expert.
Show 9 Quotations
9.
Safe, secure; maken ~, protect.
Show 4 Quotations
10a.
for certain, (a) with certainty, for sure, in fact, certainly; holden for ~, feel sure of; (b) as an emphatic or a rime tag: forsooth, indeed.
Show 10 Quotations
10b.
in certain, (a) in fact, for a fact, actually; with certainty, for sure, surely, certainly; (b) as an emphatic or a rime tag: forsooth, indeed; (c) within bounds.
Show 17 Quotations
10c.
putten in certain, (a) to establish (sth.) with certainty, determine or establish (a fact); (b) to arrange (sth.) properly, put in order; (c) to assure or encourage (sb.).
Show 7 Quotations

Supplemental Materials (draft)

  • ?c1400(1379) Daniel *Treat.Uroscopy (Roy 17.D.1)f.31ra (2.3) : Þe pouce is more certeyn to deme of in þe lefte wirste þan in þe riȝt wirste.
Note: Addtional quot. or ?poss. new sense. Editor's gloss: 'of symptoms: reliable, certain'.

Supplemental Materials (draft)

  • a1425(?c1350) Ywain (Glb E.9)929 : Sir, þow sal wend with honowre, For þou sal have ful gude socowre. Bot, sir, þou sal be here sertayne A while unto I cum ogayne.
    • Note: Quot. originally under certain adv., but perh. better placed under adj. Context: Lunet helps Ywain hide out in Alundyne's castle. He is ready to go out, but she admonishes him that he will be safe where he is until she returns.
    Note: Needed for date in sense 9.
  • c1450 Lydg.SSecr.Ctn.(Sln 2464)1577 : The Secund pereel..In which I stande, this is in certayn ffeer and dreed of Indignacioun Of your lordshipp.
    • Note: Additional quot. for sense 3.(a).
    Note: 'Certayne' could be the adjective qualifying 'ffeer'.--per JR
  • c1450 Peace R.Lin.in Lin.RS 30 ()4/134-5 : How knos þu a certayne qualite? A property by þe wech me knos wedyr a pronowne ys of certayn person, as ego.
    • Note: Additional quot. for sense 3.(d).
  • (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)2.2566 : The Soldan was riht glad with al, And wel the more in special Whan that he wiste he was Romein; Bot what elles in certein, That mihte he wite be no weie.
  • a1450(c1412) Hoccl.RP (Hrl 4866)5119 : Þe worthynesse Of women passyth mennes encerteyne, And ȝit sum nyse men..holden ther-a-geyn.
  • a1500 Add.Hymnal (Add 34193)464/49 : We knolege the lord sothly incerteyne Of a clene virgene born in owr nature, And we beleve þat thow schalt eft a yeyne Com downe to dem euery creature.
    • Note: Additional quots. for sense 10b.(b).
Note: ?Move phrase ben at a ~ and its quot. (Malory 994/19) in sense 7.(c) to certain n. sense 4.
Note: The list of variant spellings in the form section may be incomplete and / or may need revision to accord with standards of later volumes of the MED.--notes per MLL

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