Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Ascertain
Asˊcer-tain′
,Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Ascertained
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Ascertaining
.] 1.
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.
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]
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.
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 metalHe was there only for the purpose of
ascertaining
whether a descent on England was practicable. Macaulay.
Webster 1828 Edition
Ascertain
ASCERTA'IN
,Verb.
T.
1.
To make certain; to define or reduce to precision by moving obscurity or ambiguity.The divine law ascertains the truth.
2.
To make certain, by trial, examination or experiment, so as to know what was before unknown; as, to ascertain the weight of a commodity, or the purity of a metal.3.
To make sure by previous measures.The ministry, in order to ascertain a majority in the house of lords, persuaded the queen to create twelve new peers.
4.
To make certain or confident, followed by a pronoun; as, to ascertain us of the goodness of our work. [unusual.]5.
To fix; to establish with certainty; to render invariable, and not subject to will.The mildness and precision of their laws ascertained the rule and measure of taxation.