cern-, cert-, cer-; cret-, creet-, cre- +
(Latin: to separate, to sift, to distinguish, to understand, to decide; separated, separation, to set apart; to secrete; the glandular extraction or elaboration (working out) of a natural substance; and it is also the basic element of "secret")
Used to express the ability a person has to distinguish, or to perceive, something with the eyes and the mind. Related to crit-; as in criticize, diacritical, critique, etc.
ascertain
1. To discover and to determine by means of examination or experimentation.
2. Etymology: from Middle English acertainen, "to inform", from Old French acertener, ascertain-; from a-, to [from Latin ad] + certain, from Latin certus, past participle of cernere, "to determine".
ascertainable
1. Able to be discovered through examination or experimentation.
2. That which can be found out definitely, learned with assurance, and determined.
ascertainment
1. Making certain, exact, or precise.
2: Finding out or learning with certainty.
3. Learning, or determining with certainty; usually, by making an inquiry or other effort to establish what is going on or what the status is of something.
certain
1. Having no doubts about something "She was certain that he was the man who robbed the store."
2. Definitely known, fixed, or settled.
3. Guaranteed to happen or to do something.
4. Established beyond doubt or question; indisputable.
5. Etymology: used from about 1297, "determined, fixed", from Old French certain, from Vulgar Latin certanus, from Latin certus, "sure, fixed"; originally a variant of cernere, "to distinguish, to decide"; originally "to sift, to separate".
certainly
1. Characterized by being without any doubt or qualification on the part of the speaker.
2. Relating to an emphatic denial or refusal.
3. Free from doubt or reservation; confident; sure: "I am certain she will come home tonight."
4. Capable of being relied on; dependable.
Although certain appears to be an absolute term, it is frequently qualified by adverbs; such as, in "fairly certain" or "quite certain".
certainty
1. A conclusion or outcome that is beyond doubt.
2. Someone who or something that is strongly expected to win or to achieve something.
3. A compete lack of doubt about something; without any doubt.
certifiable
1. Capable of being certified; for example, as authentic, valid, or qualified.
2. Legally, or medically, declared to be affected by a psychiatric disorder.
3. Legally committable to a mental institution.
certificate
1. An official document that gives proof and details of something; for example, personal status, educational achievements, ownership, or authenticity.
2. An official document awarded to someone who or something that has passed a test or examination or conforms to a required standard.
certification
1. Validating the authenticity of something or someone.
2. A document attesting to the truth of certain stated facts.
3. A confirmation that some fact or statement is true.
4. Etymology: from Old French certifier, "make certain"; from Late Latin certificare, from Latin certus + a form of the root facere, "to make, do".
certifier
Someone who certifies, or assures.
certify, certifies, certifying, certified
1. To state or confirm that something is true or correct: "The document has been certified by the court."
2. To declare that someone or something has passed a test or achieved a certain standard: The car dealer certifies each car before it is sold."
3. In banking, to indicate on a check that there are sufficient funds to guarantee payment.
certiorari
1. In law, a writ issued by a higher court to obtain records of a case from a lower court so that the case can be reviewed.
2. Etymology: from 15th century Late Latin, literally "to be informed", the passive of Latin certiorare "to inform", from, ultimately, certus "sure", the word occurs in the Latin version of the writ.
certitude
1. The feeling of conviction about something, especially an opinion or religious faith.
2. Something that is certain to happen or about which someone can feel sure.
concern
1. A reason to worry, or something that causes worry.
2. Emotions such as worry, compassion, sympathy, or regard for someone or something.
3. A matter that affects someone, or that someone has the right to be involved with.
concerned
1. Worried or apprehensive, particularly about something such as a situation that is developing or that has newly arisen.
2. Caring and interested in general, or giving care and attention to a particular thing or area.
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