v. t.
When the blessed Virgin was so ascertained. Jer. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]
Muncer assured them that the design was approved of by Heaven, and that the Almighty had in a dream ascertained him of its effects. Robertson. [ 1913 Webster ]
The divine law . . . ascertaineth the truth. Hooker. [ 1913 Webster ]
The very deferring [ of his execution ] shall increase and ascertain the condemnation. Jer. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]
The ministry, in order to ascertain a majority . . . persuaded the queen to create twelve new peers. Smollett. [ 1913 Webster ]
The mildness and precision of their laws ascertained the rule and measure of taxation. Gibbon. [ 1913 Webster ]
He was there only for the purpose of ascertaining whether a descent on England was practicable. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. That may be ascertained. --
n. One who ascertains. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. The act of ascertaining; a reducing to certainty; a finding out by investigation; discovery. [ 1913 Webster ]
The positive ascertainment of its limits. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. [ F. certain, fr. (assumed) LL. certanus, fr. L. certus determined, fixed, certain, orig. p. p. of cernere to perceive, decide, determine; akin to Gr. &unr_; to decide, separate, and to E. concern, critic, crime, riddle a sieve, rinse, v. ]
To make her certain of the sad event. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]
I myself am certain of you. Wyclif. [ 1913 Webster ]
However, I with thee have fixed my lot,
Certain to undergo like doom. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]
The dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure. Dan. ii. 45. [ 1913 Webster ]
Virtue that directs our ways
Through certain dangers to uncertain praise. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]
Death, as the Psalmist saith, is certain to all. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
I have often wished that I knew as certain a remedy for any other distemper. Mead. [ 1913 Webster ]
The people go out and gather a certain rate every day. Ex. xvi. 4. [ 1913 Webster ]
It came to pass when he was in a certain city. Luke. v. 12. [ 1913 Webster ]
About everything he wrote there was a certain natural grace und decorum. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]
For certain,
Of a certain,
n.
adv. Certainly. [ Obs. ] Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]
adv. Without doubt or question; unquestionably. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. Certainty. [ 1913 Webster ]
n.;
The certainty of punishment is the truest security against crimes. Fisher Ames. [ 1913 Webster ]
Certainties are uninteresting and sating. Landor. [ 1913 Webster ]
Of a certainty,
n. [ Pref. in- not + certain: cf. F. incertain, L. incertus. See Certain. ] Uncertain; doubtful; unsteady. --
Very questionable and of uncertain truth. Sir T. Browne. [1913 Webster]
n. Uncertainty. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. [ Pref. un- not + certain. Cf. Incertain. ]
Man, without the protection of a superior Being, . . . is uncertain of everything that he hopes for. Tillotson. [ 1913 Webster ]
O woman! in our hours of ease,
Uncertain, coy, and hard to please! Sir W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ]
From certain dangers to uncertain praise. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]
Soon bent his bow, uncertain in his aim. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]
Whistling slings dismissed the uncertain stone. Gay. [ 1913 Webster ]
v. t. [ 1st pref. un- + certain; or fr. uncertain, a. ] To make uncertain. [ Obs. ] Sir W. Raleigh. [ 1913 Webster ]
adv. In an uncertain manner. [ 1913 Webster ]
n.;
Our shepherd's case is every man's case that quits a moral certainty for an uncertainty. L'Estrange. [ 1913 Webster ]