ascertain
- to find out definitely; learn with certainty or assurance; determine: to ascertain the facts.
- Archaic. to make certain, clear, or definitely known.
Origin of ascertain
Synonym study
Related Words for ascertain
confirm, verify, determine, divine, double-check, dig, eye, read, fix, discover, tell, see, settle, identify, learn, peg, establish, check, size, eyeballExamples from the Web for ascertain
Contemporary Examples of ascertain
Last week, a Politico reporter phoned me to ascertain my thoughts on the new war.
We need a Special Select Committee on Benghazi to ascertain these facts and ensure that such a disaster never occurs again.
However, there is little existing research to ascertain this, or much else.
I try one final time to ascertain with Bradshaw what is in the ejaculatory mix.
For decades, people have been trying to ascertain the difference, but it mostly comes down to a level of taste.
Historical Examples of ascertain
All efforts to ascertain your fate proved utterly fruitless.
PhilotheaLydia Maria Child
We did not ascertain this last fact, however, for some time.
Ned MyersJames Fenimore Cooper
There was a thick fog, so that it was impossible to ascertain what advantage had been gained.
The Life of Horatio Lord NelsonRobert Southey
Is it to ascertain this point that you have done me the honour to visit me?
Alice, or The Mysteries, CompleteEdward Bulwer-Lytton
They appraised me in their own minds, I saw, and were curious to ascertain what my full value was.
Little DorritCharles Dickens
ascertain
- to determine or discover definitely
- archaic to make certain
Word Origin for ascertain
Word Origin and History for ascertain
early 15c., "to inform, to give assurance," from Anglo-French acerteiner, Old French acertener "to assure, certify" (13c.), from a "to" (see ad-) + certain "certain" (see certain). Modern meaning of "find out for sure by experiment or investigation" is first attested 1794. Related: Ascertained; ascertaining.