Search Result for "ascertain": 
Wordnet 3.0

VERB (4)

1. establish after a calculation, investigation, experiment, survey, or study;
- Example: "find the product of two numbers"
- Example: "The physicist who found the elusive particle won the Nobel Prize"
[syn: determine, find, find out, ascertain]

2. be careful or certain to do something; make certain of something;
- Example: "He verified that the valves were closed"
- Example: "See that the curtains are closed"
- Example: "control the quality of the product"
[syn: see, check, insure, see to it, ensure, control, ascertain, assure]

3. find out, learn, or determine with certainty, usually by making an inquiry or other effort;
- Example: "I want to see whether she speaks French"
- Example: "See whether it works"
- Example: "find out if he speaks Russian"
- Example: "Check whether the train leaves on time"
[syn: determine, check, find out, see, ascertain, watch, learn]

4. learn or discover with certainty; 



The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

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 (r) 3.0 (2006):

ascertain
    v 1: establish 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, ascertain]
    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, ascertain, 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, ascertain,
       watch, learn]
    4: learn or discover with certainty