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cer·tain

I

 \\ˈsər-t^ən\\ adjective1. 

fixed

, settled
    a certain percentage of the profit
2. of a specific but unspecified character, quantity, or degree
    the house has a certain charm
3.
  a. 

dependable

, 

reliable

      a certain remedy for the disease
  b. known or proved to be true : 

indisputable

      it is certain that we exist
4.
  a. 

inevitable

      the certain advance of age
  b. incapable of failing : destined — used with a following infinitive
      she is certain to do well
5. assured in mind or action
    I am certain they are right
Synonyms: see 
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II

pronoun, plural in construction: certain ones

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cer·tain
I. \ˈsərt^ən, ˈsə̄t-, ˈsəit- sometimes -tə̇n\ adjective
(sometimes certainer \-t(^ə)nə(r)\ ; sometimes certainest \-t(^ə)nə̇st\)
Etymology: Middle English certain, certein, from Old French certain, from (assumed) Vulgar Latin certanus, from Latin certus determined, fixed, certain, from cernere to sift, discern, understand, decide; akin to Old English hriddel sieve, Old High German rītera sieve, hreini clean, pure, Old Norse hreinn, Gothic hrains, Greek krinein to separate, decide, Lithuanian krijas hoop around a sieve, Greek keirein to cut — more at 
1. 
 a. : , , 
  < guaranteed a certain percentage of the profit >
  < where an agency such as a board of education has by law been granted certain powers — M.R.Cohen >
  < fair play means certain definite things — Margaret Mead >
  — sometimes used as a postpositive modifier
  < a rent certain in money — Adam Smith >
 b. : , 
  < I could not find the certain reasons for thinking the modern society was destitute of its normal humanity — J.C.Ransom >
 c. of a statement : proved to be either logically or factually correct : thoroughly confirmed : believed without reservation or doubt
2. 
 a. :  : of a character difficult or unwise to specify — used to distinguish a person or thing not otherwise distinguished or not distinguishable in more precise terms
  < he telephoned a certain Mr. Smith >
  < certain people would like him to speak >
  < the comfortable-looking houses … along the tree-lined streets give it a certain charm — American Guide Series: Maryland >
 b. : small but tangible
3. : , : 
 a. : entirely reliable
  < no certain early likeness of him survives — Carl Van Doren >
  < a certain remedy for the disease >
 b. : not to be doubted as a fact : 
  < it is certain that we exist >
4. 
 a. : 
  < the certain advance of age and decay >
 b. : incapable of failing : destined — used with a following infinitive
  < he is certain to see her >
  < he is certain to be a success >
5. 
 a. : given to or marked by complete assurance and conviction, lack of doubt, reservation, suspicion, or wavering through or as if through infallible knowledge or perception
 b. : firm and assured as though practiced : without hesitation, wavering, or diffidence
  < I am sure that he was candid … I am certain that he had no guile — W.A.White >
6. obsolete : 
Synonyms: see 
•
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II. noun
(-s)
Etymology: Middle English certain, certein, from certain, certein, adjective
: , 
•
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III. adverb
Etymology: Middle English certain, certein, from certain, certein, adjective
now dialect : 
IV. pronoun
(plural in construction)
Etymology: certain (I) 
: certain ones
 < certain of my generation — W.B.Yeats >