Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1746, 1872-1886
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CERTAIN(E), n. and adv. [′sɛrtən]
†1. n. Certainty; certain knowledge.Sc. 1746 More Culloden Papers (ed. Warrand 1930) V. 22:
To my certaine, upon the suspicion of it, my father used all means.
2. adv. In phr. certain sure, absolutely certain (Bnff.2, Abd.9, Fif.10, Slg.3 1939); obs. or dial. in Eng. (N.E.D.); certainly, for certain (‡Abd. 1975). Obs. in Eng.Cai. 1872 M. McLennan Peasant Life II. 301:
Auld Grippie 'll hae the richts o' it certain.ne.Sc. 1883–1886 D. Grant Chron. of Keckleton (1888) 147–148:
There's ae thing I've remarked in regaird to you ministers, an' that is, that gin there be a weel-tochered lass in a congregation, under a bachelor amang ye, he's certain sure to be aifter her.
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"Certain n., adv.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 7 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/certaine>
