mindmap root((确信)) certainty may stress the existence of objective proof: claims that cannot be confirmed with any scientific ~. certitude may emphasize a faith strong enough to resist all attack: believed in his innocence with a fair degree of ~. assurance implies confidence rather than certainty and implies reliance on one's own powers or methods, or trust in another: as much ~ as is ever possible where hurricanes are concerned. conviction usually implies previous doubt or uncertainty and stresses a subjective, rational reaction to evidence: holds firm ~s about everything.