Definitions for: Ascertain


[v] be careful or certain to do something; make certain of something; "He verified that the valves were closed"; "See that the curtains are closed"; "control the quality of the product"
[v] learn or discover with certainty
[v] after a calculation, investigation, experiment, survey, or study; "find the product of two numbers"; "The physicist who found the elusive particle won the Nobel Prize"
[v] find out, learn, or determine with certainty, usually by making an inquiry or other effort; "I want to see whether she speaks French"; "See whether it works"; "find out if he speaks Russian"; "Check whether the train leaves on time"



Webster (1913) Definition: As`cer*tain", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Ascertained; p.
pr. & vb. n. Ascertaining.] [OF. acertener; a (L. ad) +
certain. See Certain.]
1. To render (a person) certain; to cause to feel certain; to
make confident; to assure; to apprise. [Obs.]

When the blessed Virgin was so ascertained. --Jer.
Taylor.

Muncer assured them that the design was approved of
by Heaven, and that the Almighty had in a dream
ascertained him of its effects. --Robertson.

2. To make (a thing) certain to the mind; to free from
obscurity, doubt, or change; to make sure of; to fix; to
determine. [Archaic]

The divine law . . . ascertaineth the truth.
--Hooker.

The very deferring [of his execution] shall increase
and ascertain the condemnation. --Jer. Taylor.

The ministry, in order to ascertain a majority . . .
persuaded the queen to create twelve new peers.
--Smollett.

The mildness and precision of their laws ascertained
the rule and measure of taxation. --Gibbon.

3. To find out or learn for a certainty, by trial,
examination, or experiment; to get to know; as, to
ascertain the weight of a commodity, or the purity of a
metal.

He was there only for the purpose of ascertaining
whether a descent on England was practicable.
--Macaulay.

Synonyms: assure, check, control, determine, ensure, find, find out, insure, see, see to it

See Also: admeasure, card, cinch, count, cover, cross-check, discover, double-check, enumerate, get a line, get wind, get word, hear, locate, number, numerate, pick up, price, proof, proofread, rectify, redetermine, refract, sequence, situate, spot-check, test, translate, verify

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