ascertain

[as-er-teyn]

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verb (used with object)

to find out definitely; learn with certainty or assurance; determine: to ascertain the facts.

Archaic. to make certain, clear, or definitely known.

Nearby words

Origin of ascertain

1400–50; late Middle English, variant of assertain, acertain < Middle French acertain- (tonic stem of acertener to make certain), equivalent to a- a-⁵ + certain certain

Related forms

as·cer·tain·a·ble, adjectiveas·cer·tain·a·bly, adverbas·cer·tain·er, nounas·cer·tain·ment, noun

non·as·cer·tain·a·ble, adjectivenon·as·cer·tain·a·ble·ness, nounnon·as·cer·tain·a·bly, adverbnon·as·cer·tain·ment, nounpre·as·cer·tain, verb (used with object)pre·as·cer·tain·ment, nounun·as·cer·tain·a·ble, adjectiveun·as·cer·tain·a·bly, adverbun·as·cer·tained, adjectivewell-as·cer·tained, adjective

Synonym study

1. See learn.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for ascertain

Last week, a Politico reporter phoned me to ascertain my thoughts on the new war.
Obama’s Iraq Is Not Bush’s Iraq|Michael Tomasky|September 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
We need a Special Select Committee on Benghazi to ascertain these facts and ensure that such a disaster never occurs again.
Why Democrats Are So Scared of Benghazi|Ron Christie|May 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
However, there is little existing research to ascertain this, or much else.
Breaking the Silence Over Campus Rapes|Emily Shire|January 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I try one final time to ascertain with Bradshaw what is in the ejaculatory mix.
New York’s Naughtiest Show (Maybe Avoid the Front Row)|Tim Teeman|January 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST

For decades, people have been trying to ascertain the difference, but it mostly comes down to a level of taste.
Adult Magazine: The New Female Erotica|Erin Cunningham|November 20, 2013|DAILY BEAST
He calls for his attendant Herbert, who is sent to ascertain the cause of this midnight commotion.
The Great Events by Famous Historians, Volume 11|Various
A mate was now sent into each, to ascertain what might be discovered to windward.
Sea Stories|Various
Whether de Blainville's or Sowerby's plate appeared first I cannot ascertain.
A Monograph on the Sub-class Cirripedia (Volume 2 of 2)|Charles Darwin
Where to direct my steps was the difficult point to ascertain.
Olla Podrida|Frederick Marryat (AKA Captain Marryat)
It was, however, very tantalising, as we were anxious to ascertain what had become of the Dolphin.
A Yacht Voyage Round England|W.H.G. Kingston

British Dictionary definitions for ascertain

ascertain

verb (tr)

to determine or discover definitely

archaic to make certain

Derived Formsascertainable, adjectiveascertainably, adverbascertainment, noun

Word Origin for ascertain

C15: from Old French acertener to make certain

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for ascertain

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.

ascertain

verb (used with object)

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of ascertain

Synonym study

Examples from the Web for ascertain

ascertain

verb (tr)

Word Origin for ascertain

ascertain