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Identical vs Certain - What's the difference?

identical | certain |

As adjectives the difference between identical and certain

is that identical is (not comparable) bearing full likeness by having precisely the same set of characteristics; indistinguishable while certain is certain.

As a noun identical

is (usually|pluralized|chiefly|philosophy) something which has exactly the same properties as something else.

identical

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • (not comparable) Bearing full likeness by having precisely the same set of characteristics; indistinguishable.
  • * {{quote-book, year=1911, title=Encyclopædia Britannica, chapter=
  • , passage=By this means as many absolutely identical plates can be produced as may be required, and being hardened they will yield a very large number of prints without any appreciable deterioration.}}
  • *
  • *
  • (not comparable) Not different or other; not another or others; not different as regards self; selfsame; numerically identical.
  • *
  • *
  • * {{quote-book, year=1922, title=, by=W. C. Firebaugh, author=Petronius,
  • passage=Nor could I myself look upon this man without some emotion, for he seemed to be the identical  person who had picked up the ragged tunic in the lonely wood, and, as a matter of fact, he was!}}
  • (not comparable, biology) Of twins, sharing the same genetic code.
  • (not comparable, mathematics) Exactly equivalent.
  • (comparable, rare) Approximating or approaching exact equivalence.
  • * 1788 , , XLI:
  • The terms of Article 8th are still more identical .
    *

    Usage notes

    * (en-usage-equal) * Adverbs often used with "identical": absolutely, almost, nearly, practically, virtually, substantially.

    Synonyms

    * (bearing full likeness) same * (selfsame) same, selfsame

    Antonyms

    * non-identical * different * distinct

    Derived terms

    * identically * identicalness

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (usually, pluralized, chiefly, philosophy) Something which has exactly the same properties as something else.
  • Derived terms

    * indiscernibility of identicals

    References

    * * *

    certain

    English

    Adjective

    (wikipedia certain) (en adjective)
  • Sure, positive, not doubting.
  • I was certain of my decision.
  • (obsolete) Determined; resolved.
  • * Milton
  • However, I with thee have fixed my lot, / Certain to undergo like doom.
  • Not to be doubted or denied; established as a fact.
  • * Bible, Dan. ii. 45
  • The dream is certain , and the interpretation thereof sure.
  • Actually existing; sure to happen; inevitable.
  • Bankruptcy is the certain outcome of your constant gambling and lending.
  • * Dryden
  • Virtue that directs our ways / Through certain dangers to uncertain praise.
  • * Shakespeare
  • Death, as the Psalmist saith, is certain to all.
  • Unfailing; infallible.
  • * Mead
  • I have often wished that I knew as certain a remedy for any other distemper.
  • Fixed or stated; regular; determinate.
  • * Bible, Ex. xvi. 4
  • The people go out and gather a certain rate every day.
  • Not specifically named; indeterminate; indefinite; one or some; sometimes used independently as a noun, and meaning certain persons.
  • * Bible, Luke v. 12
  • It came to pass when he was in a certain city.
  • * Macaulay
  • About everything he wrote there was a certain natural grace and decorum.

    Synonyms

    * See also

    Antonyms

    * (not doubting) uncertain * (sure to happen) impossible, incidental

    Derived terms

    * certainly

    Determiner

    (en determiner)
  • Having been determined but unspecified. The quality of some particular subject or object which is known by the speaker to have been specifically singled out among similar entities of its class.
  • * Bible, Acts xxiii. 12
  • Certain of the Jews banded together.
  • * , title=The Mirror and the Lamp
  • , chapter=3 citation , passage=One saint's day in mid-term a certain newly appointed suffragan-bishop came to the school chapel, and there preached on “The Inner Life.”}}

    Statistics

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    Anagrams

    * * 1000 English basic words ----