ascertain

[ as-er-teyn ]

/ ˌæs ərˈteɪn /

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See synonyms for: ascertain / ascertained / ascertaining / ascertainable on Thesaurus.com

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.

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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 + certaincertain

OTHER WORDS FROM ascertain

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use ascertain in a sentence

For the purpose of ascertaining the Board's powers in this connection the opinion of the Attorney General has been requested.
Readings in Money and Banking|Chester Arthur Phillips
Ascertaining what had happened, some went to the church, and the governor arrested others.
The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume XX, 1621-1624|Various
Meurin had special facilities for ascertaining how men diabolise; the island of Mauritius has enjoyed many privileges of Infernus.
Devil-Worship in France|Arthur Edward Waite
At least, we can come a good deal nearer ascertaining the latter than the former.
Taboo and Genetics|Melvin Moses Knight, Iva Lowther Peters, and Phyllis Mary Blanchard

During the passage, which lasted seven weeks, Newton had ample opportunity of ascertaining his situation.
Newton Forster|Captain Frederick Marryat

British Dictionary definitions for ascertain

ascertain

/ (ˌæsəˈteɪn) /

verb (tr)

to determine or discover definitely

archaic to make certain

Derived forms of ascertain

ascertainable, 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

ascertain

Origin of ascertain

OTHER WORDS FROM ascertain

Words related to ascertain

How to use ascertain in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for ascertain

Derived forms of ascertain

Word Origin for ascertain