An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

Determined, fixed; established beyond doubt or question; indisputable. → determinism.

Etymology (EN): From O.Fr. certain, from V.L. *certanus, from L. certus “sure, fixed,” originally a variant p.p. of cernere “to distinguish, decide.”

Etymology (PE): Tâštig, from Mid.Pers. tâštig “certain,” tâšitan “to cut, cleave, create,” Mod.Pers. tarâšidan, Gilaki tâštan “to shave, scrape, cut,” Av. taš- “to cut, fashion, shape, form,” taša- “ax, hatchet,” tašan- “creator, maker,” cf. Skt. taks- “to cut, chop, form by cutting, make, create,” taksan “carpenter,” Gk. tekhne “art, skill, craft, method,” L. textere “to weave;” PIE base *tek- “to shape, make.”