A Topical Dictionary: Search for ascertain

Dictionary Results For "ascertain" [?]/[OPML]

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English

Pronunciation

An audio transcript can be found at en-us-ascertain.ogg
(UK): IPA: /æsəˈteɪn/,
(US): , IPA: /æsɚˈteɪn/,
: Rhymes: Rhymes:English:-eɪn|-eɪn

Etymology

From acertener (a- + certener).

Verb

To find out; to discover or establish.
: As soon as we ascertain what the situation is, we can plan how to proceed.

Usage notes

Ascertain is a formal-sounding word. In informal contexts, it can sound pretentious and is best replaced with a more informal synonym.

Synonyms

Translations

Czech:
Dutch: constateren
Hebrew:

Portuguese: ,
Spanish:

fr:ascertain io:ascertain it:ascertain hu:ascertain pl:ascertain fi:ascertain ta:ascertain te:ascertain vi:ascertain zh:ascertain

GNU Project's publication of CIDE, the Collaborative International Dictionary of English Ascertain \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.]
[1913 Webster]

When the blessed Virgin was so ascertained. --Jer.
Taylor.
[1913 Webster]

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.
[1913 Webster]

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]
[1913 Webster]

The divine law . . . ascertaineth the truth.
--Hooker.
[1913 Webster]

The very deferring [of his execution] shall increase
and ascertain the condemnation. --Jer. Taylor.
[1913 Webster]

The ministry, in order to ascertain a majority . . .
persuaded the queen to create twelve new peers.
--Smollett.
[1913 Webster]

The mildness and precision of their laws ascertained
the rule and measure of taxation. --Gibbon.
[1913 Webster]

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.
[1913 Webster]

He was there only for the purpose of ascertaining
whether a descent on England was practicable.
--Macaulay.
[1913 Webster]

WordNet ascertain
v 1: 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"
[syn: determine, find, find out]
2: 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" [syn: see, check, insure, see to it, ensure,
control, assure]
3: 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" [syn: determine, check, find out, see, watch,
learn]
4: learn or discover with certainty

Moby Dictionary
afford proof of , appraise , ask , assure , be informed ,
become acquainted with , bring home to , broaden the mind , catch on ,
certify , cinch , clear up , clinch , consider , contemplate ,
cram the mind , decide , demonstrate , determine , discover ,
dismiss all doubt , ensure , establish , find , find out ,
find out about , fix , follow , follow from , gain knowledge , get ,
get at , get hold of , have a case , hear , hold good , hold water ,
inquire , inspect , insure , interrogate , learn , learn about ,
load the mind , make a decision , make certain , make good ,
make no doubt , make no mistake , make out , make sure , make sure of ,
nail down , observe , pick up information , prove , prove to be ,
prove true , query , question , reassure , remove all doubt , resolve ,
see , see that , see to it , set at rest , settle , settle the matter ,
show , sort out , study , survey , tumble , unearth , view , weigh