ascertain Meaning, Definition & Usage

verb establish after a calculation, investigation, experiment, survey, or study
find out; find; determine.
- find the product of two numbers
- The physicist who found the elusive particle won the Nobel Prize
verb be careful or certain to do something; make certain of something
insure; control; see to it; assure; see; ensure; check.
- He verified that the valves were closed
- See that the curtains are closed
- control the quality of the product
verb find out, learn, or determine with certainty, usually by making an inquiry or other effort
learn; watch; see; determine; find out; check.
- 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
verb learn or discover with certainty

OF. acertener; a (L. ad) + certain. See Certain.

imperfect & past participle Ascertained present participle & verbal noun Ascertaining

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.
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.
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.