Uncertains

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

  1. People or things whose outcomes, identities, or statuses are not known for sure ; individuals or elements lacking clear determination or predictability
  2. Those whose situations, qualifications, or results are ambiguous ; subjects or entities for which a definite decision or outcome is pending
  3. Individuals or factors characterized by indeterminacy ; members of a group whose fate or classification has not been settled

Etymology: The noun in question appears to be a plural form derived from the adjective "uncertain," which itself has a clear etymological path. The adjective "uncertain" entered English around the late 14th century, borrowed from Old French "uncertain," which combined the prefix "un-" (meaning "not") with "certain," from Latin "certus," meaning "settled" or "sure." The Latin root "certus" comes from the verb "cernere," meaning "to sift, decide, or distinguish," pointing to the original sense of clarity or definiteness. Turning an adjective into a noun form by adding an "-s" to create "uncertains" is unusual in modern English, as "uncertain" typically functions adjectivally or as an abstract noun in its singular form ("uncertainty"). However, if used as a plural noun, it might be employed to denote multiple instances or types of uncertainties or doubtful matters. This pluralization reflects a common English pattern where adjectives sometimes serve as nouns to indicate a class of things characterized by the adjective, similar to "the poor" or "the unknowns." The underlying concept traces back to Latin philosophical and legal terminology, where "certus" and its negation were crucial in discussions of knowledge, proof, and doubt. Over time, English speakers adapted these terms to express not only the absence of certainty but also to categorize varying shades or cases of doubt, which could explain the plural noun formation. While "uncertains" is not standard as a noun in contemporary English, its construction follows recognizable morphological patterns that allow adjectives to function nominally, particularly in literary, philosophical, or technical contexts where distinguishing multiple "uncertain" elements might be necessary.

Synonyms: doubtfuls, unknowns, unsures, ambiguities, indecisives

Antonyms: certains, definites, sure things, knowns, clears