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▪ I. † inˈcertain, a. and n. Obs.
[a. F. incertain (Oresme, 14th c.), f. in- (in-3) + certain, after L. incert-us uncertain.]
A. adj. Not certain; = uncertain (in various senses).
1491Caxton Vitas Patr. (W. de W. 1495) ii. 280 b/2 All is incertayne duryng this lyfe. 1549Coverdale, etc. Erasm. Par. Jas. iv. G j, Thys is a thinge moste incertayn, how long they shall lyue, and a thing moste certain that they shall not lyue longe. 1611Shakes. Wint. T. v. i. 29 What Dangers..May drop vpon his Kingdome, and deuoure Incertaine lookers on. 1655Sir E. Nicholas in N. Papers (Camden) II. 293 What he will be able to doe is incertain. 1716M. Davies Athen. Brit. II. To Rdr. 26 Christian Hope will or ought to be my not incertain support. 1741T. Robinson Gavelkind ii. 16 All the Possessions were incertain; and this Incertainty was the cause [etc.].
B. n.
1. Uncertainty.
1502Ord. Crysten Men (W. de W. 1506) ii. xviii. 136 The incertayne of the houre of a moment and of the estate.
2. Name of an obsolete game at cards.
1689Shadwell Bury F. i. i, With ombre, crimp, comet or incertain.
▪ II. † inˈcertain, v. Obs. rare.
[f. in-2 + certain a.; cf. encertain.]
To make certain, assure.
1628Feltham Resolves ii. xxviii. 89 The first hath more incertain'd honor; but lesse safety: The latter is humbly secure.
▪ III. [incertain
a frequent scribal and editorial error for in certain, in truth, certainly (certain n. 7): e.g. in Pauli's Gower I. 150, 245, etc.
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