ascertainv.

/asəˈteɪn/

Forms: Middle English acertein, Middle English–1500s acerteyne, acertayne, acertain(e, 1500s acertene, accertaine; Middle English assartayne, Middle English–1500s assertayne, 1500s asartayne, assertene, asserteine, 1500s–1600s assertain(e; Middle English–1500s ascertayn(e, 1500s ascerteyne, ascertaine, 1500s– ascertain; also Middle English adcerteyne, 1500s adcertaine.

Etymology: < Old French acertaine- tonic stem of acertene-r (late Anglo-Norman asser- , ascer- ), < à to + certain , certain adj. In English assimilated to certain adj.; pronounced /əˈsɜːtən/ as late as 1650; the prefix as- for ac- began with the spelling as-sertayne.

I. To make subjectively certain: i.e. a person certain of a fact, or a thing certain to the mind.

†1. transitive. To make (a person) certain, sure, or confident; to certify, assure; passing in looser usage into: To inform, apprise, tell.

a. simply. Obsolete.

ΚΠ

1465 J. Paston in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) I. 529 As I was credebly assartaynyd by a yeman.

1544 J. Bale Brefe Chron. Syr J. Oldcastell in Harl. Misc. (Malh.) I. 285 He was thoroughly assertained in his conscience for that conflyct of fayth.

1558 T. Phaer tr. Virgil Seuen First Bks. Eneidos iii. (R.) Anchises I ascertaine then, and him declare the caas.

1602 R. Carew Surv. Cornwall ii. f. 126 Seeking by a fore-coniecture, to be ascertained.

1656 W. S. Bullokar's Eng. Expositor (rev. ed.) Ascertain, to assure, to certifie.

†b.

(a) Const. with of. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > communication > information > action of informing > give (information) [verb (transitive)] > inform (a person)

to teach a person a thingc888

meanOE

wiseOE

sayOE

wittera1225

tellc1225

do to witc1275

let witc1275

let seec1330

inform1384

form1399

lerea1400

to wit (a person) to saya1400

learn1425

advertise1431

givec1449

insense?c1450

instruct1489

ascertain1490

let1490

alighta1500

advert1511

signify1523

reform1535

advise1562

partake1565

resolve1568

to do to ware1594

to let into one's knowledge1596

intellect1599

possess1600

acquainta1616

alighten1615

recommenda1616

intelligence1637

apprise1694

appraise1706

introduce1741

avail1785

prime1791

document1807

to put up1811

to put a person au fait of1828

post1847

to keep (someone) straight1862

monish1866

to put next to1896

to put (one) wise (to)1896

voice1898

in the picture1900

to give (someone) a line on1903

to wise up1905

drum1908

hip1932

to fill (someone) in on1945

clue1948

background1961

to mark a person's card1961

to loop in1994

the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > absence of doubt, confidence > assured fact, certainty > making certain, assurance > assure, make certain [verb (transitive)]

certify1340

assure1393

surec1460

ascertain1490

recognosce1533

secure1602

sickera1693

vouch1780

1490 W. Caxton tr. Eneydos xv. 61 Whan he was adcerteyned of the dooynge of dydo and of Eneas.

1528 T. More Dialogue Heresyes i, in Wks. 161/1 Now is y^e church well acertened of goddes pleasure therin.

1598 Floure & Leafe in T. Speght Wks. G. Chaucer f. 368^v/2 For now I am acertained throughly Of euery thing I desired to know.

a1657 G. Daniel Trinarchodia: Henry V clxii, in Poems (1878) IV. 141 The French (ascertain'd of a Victory) Are but vnsattisfied.

1789 G. Morris in J. Sparks Life G. Morris (1832) II. 3 I wish to be ascertained of the..intentions of the Court.

(b) Const. confused with 3 or 6.

ΚΠ

1658 tr. J. Ussher Ann. World 739 Mariamne had ascertained to Herod by oath of her chastity.

†c. with subordinate clause. Obsolete.

ΚΠ

1450 Queen Margaret in Four C. Eng. Lett. 8 And how ye thinke to be disposed..ye will acertein us by the bearer.

1548 T. Cranmer Catechismus sig. Eev^v To asserten vs, that we are y^e lyuely membres of Gods trew churche.

?1548 J. Bale Image Bothe Churches (new ed.) i. sig. I^v These..assertayned me, y^t he was the lyon of the trybe of Iuda.

1645 W. Prynne Vindic. Foure Qvestions 45 Whether their own experience will not ascertaine them, that the Sacrament is a converting ordinance.

1684 J. Bunyan Pilgrim's Progress 2nd Pt. ii. 19 But how shall I be ascertained that I also shall be entertained?

1764 C. Churchill Candidate 30 Who may perhaps in some ten years, or more, Be ascertain'd that Two and Two make four.

†2. reflexive. To make oneself certain or confident; to gain trustworthy information. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > absence of doubt, confidence > assured fact, certainty > making certain, assurance > render certain [verb (reflexive)]

resolvec1565

certify1600

ascertain1601

1601 R. Johnson in tr. G. Botero Trauellers Breuiat sig. A2^v Ascertaining my selfe, that the honorable vertues..haue setled so good an impression.

a1680 S. Charnock Several Disc. Existence of God (1682) 1 He could not so ascertain him self by convincing arguments.

1731 G. Medley tr. P. Kolb Present State Cape Good-Hope I. 92 Before I could ascertain myself of the religious institutions of the Hottentots.

a. transitive. To make (a thing) certain to the mind; to render certain what or which it is. archaic.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > absence of doubt, confidence > assured fact, certainty > making certain, assurance > assure, make certain [verb (transitive)] > establish as fact, ascertain

trowa901

lookc1175

take1469

ascertaina1513

certain1523

favoura1530

establish1533

try1542

try1582

tie1623

secure1630

to make sure1644

true1647

determine1650

determinate1666

authenticate1753

constatea1773

verify1801

validate1957

a1513 R. Fabyan New Cronycles Eng. & Fraunce (1516) I. clxxvii. f. ciii Whereof the tyme is nat duely ascertayned.

1593 R. Hooker Of Lawes Eccl. Politie i. xvi. 94 Diuine law..ascertayneth the truth.

1635 A. Gil Sacred Philos. Holy Script. ii. xxiv. 183 Postellus to ascertaine this matier to the understanding, brings these reasons.

1751 J. Harris Hermes ii. i. 234 If the Essence of an Article be to define and ascertain.

1794 W. Godwin Caleb Williams III. ix. 164 The intelligence that was brought me by no means ascertained the greatness of the danger.

1850 J. Stephen Ess. Eccl. Biogr. (ed. 2) I. 154 The crypt which then ascertained the spot where the Apostle..had won the crown of martyrdom.

†b. with subordinate clause. Obsolete.

ΚΠ

1736 Bp. J. Butler Analogy of Relig. ii. vii. 258 In order to ascertain, and distinguish from all Others, Who is the Object of our Worship.

1787 Bp. Horne Olla Podr. xiii But who shall exactly ascertain to us what superstition is?

1823 W. Scott Peveril IV. i. 8 Initial letters..which seemed to ascertain that it was addressed to himself.

†4.

a. To make certain to us the existence of, establish as a certainty. Obsolete.

ΚΠ

1791 J. Boswell Life Johnson anno 1712 I. 12 Which ascertains a defect that many of his friends knew he had, though I never perceived it.

†b. with infinitive phr. To establish, prove (a thing to be so and so). Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > testing > proof, demonstration > prove, demonstrate [verb (transitive)]

i-sothea925

soothec950

fanda1000

kitheOE

betell1048

showc1175

prove?c1225

treousec1275

stablisha1325

approve1340

verifyc1386

justifya1393

tryc1412

answer?a1425

appreve?c1450

to make gooda1470

convictc1475

averifyc1503

arguea1513

find1512

pree1515

comprobate1531

demonstrate1538

conclude1549

convince1555

argument1558

evict1571

avoucha1593

evidencea1601

remonstrate1601

clear1605

attaint1609

monstrate1609

evince1610

evince1611

improve1613

remonstrance1621

to make out1653

ascertain1670

to bring off1674

to make (something) to through1675

render1678

substantiatea1691

establisha1704

to bring out1727

realize1763

validate1775

1670 G. Havers tr. G. Leti Il Cardinalismo di Santa Chiesa ii. ii. 154 These reasons..do ascertain him to be Pope.

1791 J. Boswell Life Johnson anno 1739 I. 73 [This] would ascertain it not to be the production of Johnson.

1810 Boothroyd Biblia Hebr. II. 49 The use of this word clearly ascertains it to be a participle.

a. To find out or learn for a certainty by experiment, examination, or investigation; to make sure of, get to know. (The only current use.)

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > discovery > find out, discover [verb (transitive)]

seeOE

fanda1000

finda1200

kenc1330

lenda1350

agropea1393

contrive1393

to find outc1405

outsearch?a1439

ripec1440

inventc1475

disclose?a1500

fish1531

agnize?1570

discover1585

to grope out1590

out-find1590

expiscate1598

vent1611

to learn out1629

to get to know1643

develop1653

ascertain1794

stag1796

root1866

to get a line on1903

establish1919

1794 R. J. Sulivan View of Nature I. 138 Those particular properties of bodies which are ascertained by the assistance of heat.

c1854 A. P. Stanley Sinai & Palestine (1858) Pref. 16 It is important to ascertain the real facts.

1861 ‘G. Eliot’ Silas Marner i. 19 Legal measures for ascertaining the culprit.

b. with infinitive or subordinate clause.

ΚΠ

c1803 C. J. Fox Hist. James II (1808) 23 Whether he would have acted upon this determination, his death..prevents us now from ascertaining.

1822 R. Southey in Q. Rev. 27 2 The day is ascertained to have been Good Friday.

1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. 433 The Duke of York..ascertained that the city was perfectly quiet.

1880 tr. Daudet's Fromont & Risler ii. iv. 76 He arose softly to ascertain who were these singular thieves.

II. To make (a thing) objectively certain, to fix.

†6. To make (a thing) sure (to a person); to render certain the possession of, ensure, secure. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > absence of doubt, confidence > assured fact, certainty > certain prospect or possession > make sure, secure [verb (transitive)] > secure to someone

sure1418

ascertain1563

warrant1613

ensure1770

1563 J. Man tr. W. Musculus Common Places Christian Relig. 287 a Joynctly linked together, to assertayne the equalitie of Godhed to eche of them.

1681 R. Baxter Acct. Sherlocke iii. 175 They seem to ascertain salvation to the baptized.

1751 S. Johnson Rambler No. 134. ⁋10 No diligence can ascertain success.

1823 W. Scott St. Ronan's Well I. iii. 68 The Squire's influence..ascertained him the support of the whole class of bucks.

†7. To make (a person) sure (to a thing); to bring or deliver certainly, destine or doom to. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

insurec1440

secure1597

ascertain1649

cock-sure1685

1649 Bp. J. Taylor Great Exemplar vii. §13 Would ascertain us into a possession of all the promises.

1658 Whole Duty of Man (1684) x. §9. 81 Whomsoever thou..hast done thy part to ascertain to those endless flames.

1667 R. Allestree Causes Decay Christian Piety x. 277 She..is ascertain'd to sink under all the methods of ruine.

†8. To make (a thing) certain, definite, or precise, by determining exactly its limits, extent, amount, position, etc.; to decide, fix, settle, limit. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

i-fastc950

tailc1315

terminea1325

foundc1394

stablish1447

terminate?a1475

tailyec1480

to lay down1493

ascertain1494

bishop1596

salve1596

pitch1610

assign1664

determinate1672

settle1733

to set at rest1826

definitize1876

cinch1900

1494 [implied in: R. Fabyan New Chron. Eng. ii. xxxiii. 26 So y^t no tyme asserteyned, is to her deputed or set. (at ascertained adj.)].

1668 W. Temple in W. B. Scoones Four Cent. Eng. Lett. 125 The proportions of money..being ascertained in the treaty.

1708 Ld. Shaftesbury Let. conc. Enthusiasm 27 To suppress by Violence the natural Passion of Enthusiasm, or to endeavour to ascertain it.

1712 J. Swift Proposal for Eng. Tongue 6 Some effectual Method for Correcting, Enlarging and Ascertaining our Language.

1789 Const. U.S. i. §6 A compensation for their services, to be ascertained by law.

†9. To make certain the existence or occurrence of; to reduce to a certainty. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

ascertain1628

assure1682

1628 O. Felltham Resolves: 2nd Cent. lxxii. sig. V6^v Evils that are but probable, they ascertaine.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1885; most recently modified version published online June 2022).

单词	ascertain
释义	† ascertainadj. Etymology: < Old French acertain, formed as ascertain v. Obsolete. rare. Apparently only attested in dictionaries or glossaries. Certain, sure. ΚΠ 1477 [implied in: W. Caxton tr. R. Le Fèvre Hist. Jason (1913) 15 She was wreton by loue in his hert so ascertainly that he coude neuer kepe him fro thinking on her. (at ascertainly adv.)]. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1885; most recently modified version published online June 2021). ascertainv. /asəˈteɪn/ Forms: Middle English acertein, Middle English–1500s acerteyne, acertayne, acertain(e, 1500s acertene, accertaine; Middle English assartayne, Middle English–1500s assertayne, 1500s asartayne, assertene, asserteine, 1500s–1600s assertain(e; Middle English–1500s ascertayn(e, 1500s ascerteyne, ascertaine, 1500s– ascertain; also Middle English adcerteyne, 1500s adcertaine. Etymology: < Old French acertaine- tonic stem of acertene-r (late Anglo-Norman asser- , ascer- ), < à to + certain , certain adj. In English assimilated to certain adj.; pronounced /əˈsɜːtən/ as late as 1650; the prefix as- for ac- began with the spelling as-sertayne. I. To make subjectively certain: i.e. a person certain of a fact, or a thing certain to the mind. †1. transitive. To make (a person) certain, sure, or confident; to certify, assure; passing in looser usage into: To inform, apprise, tell. a. simply. Obsolete. ΚΠ 1465 J. Paston in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) I. 529 As I was credebly assartaynyd by a yeman. 1544 J. Bale Brefe Chron. Syr J. Oldcastell in Harl. Misc. (Malh.) I. 285 He was thoroughly assertained in his conscience for that conflyct of fayth. 1558 T. Phaer tr. Virgil Seuen First Bks. Eneidos iii. (R.) Anchises I ascertaine then, and him declare the caas. 1602 R. Carew Surv. Cornwall ii. f. 126 Seeking by a fore-coniecture, to be ascertained. 1656 W. S. Bullokar's Eng. Expositor (rev. ed.) Ascertain, to assure, to certifie. †b. (a) Const. with of. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > communication > information > action of informing > give (information) [verb (transitive)] > inform (a person) to teach a person a thingc888 meanOE wiseOE sayOE wittera1225 tellc1225 do to witc1275 let witc1275 let seec1330 inform1384 form1399 lerea1400 to wit (a person) to saya1400 learn1425 advertise1431 givec1449 insense?c1450 instruct1489 ascertain1490 let1490 alighta1500 advert1511 signify1523 reform1535 advise1562 partake1565 resolve1568 to do to ware1594 to let into one's knowledge1596 intellect1599 possess1600 acquainta1616 alighten1615 recommenda1616 intelligence1637 apprise1694 appraise1706 introduce1741 avail1785 prime1791 document1807 to put up1811 to put a person au fait of1828 post1847 to keep (someone) straight1862 monish1866 to put next to1896 to put (one) wise (to)1896 voice1898 in the picture1900 to give (someone) a line on1903 to wise up1905 drum1908 hip1932 to fill (someone) in on1945 clue1948 background1961 to mark a person's card1961 to loop in1994 the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > absence of doubt, confidence > assured fact, certainty > making certain, assurance > assure, make certain [verb (transitive)] certify1340 assure1393 surec1460 ascertain1490 recognosce1533 secure1602 sickera1693 vouch1780 1490 W. Caxton tr. Eneydos xv. 61 Whan he was adcerteyned of the dooynge of dydo and of Eneas. 1528 T. More Dialogue Heresyes i, in Wks. 161/1 Now is y^e church well acertened of goddes pleasure therin. 1598 Floure & Leafe in T. Speght Wks. G. Chaucer f. 368^v/2 For now I am acertained throughly Of euery thing I desired to know. a1657 G. Daniel Trinarchodia: Henry V clxii, in Poems (1878) IV. 141 The French (ascertain'd of a Victory) Are but vnsattisfied. 1789 G. Morris in J. Sparks Life G. Morris (1832) II. 3 I wish to be ascertained of the..intentions of the Court. (b) Const. confused with 3 or 6. ΚΠ 1658 tr. J. Ussher Ann. World 739 Mariamne had ascertained to Herod by oath of her chastity. †c. with subordinate clause. Obsolete. ΚΠ 1450 Queen Margaret in Four C. Eng. Lett. 8 And how ye thinke to be disposed..ye will acertein us by the bearer. 1548 T. Cranmer Catechismus sig. Eev^v To asserten vs, that we are y^e lyuely membres of Gods trew churche. ?1548 J. Bale Image Bothe Churches (new ed.) i. sig. I^v These..assertayned me, y^t he was the lyon of the trybe of Iuda. 1645 W. Prynne Vindic. Foure Qvestions 45 Whether their own experience will not ascertaine them, that the Sacrament is a converting ordinance. 1684 J. Bunyan Pilgrim's Progress 2nd Pt. ii. 19 But how shall I be ascertained that I also shall be entertained? 1764 C. Churchill Candidate 30 Who may perhaps in some ten years, or more, Be ascertain'd that Two and Two make four. †2. reflexive. To make oneself certain or confident; to gain trustworthy information. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > absence of doubt, confidence > assured fact, certainty > making certain, assurance > render certain [verb (reflexive)] resolvec1565 certify1600 ascertain1601 1601 R. Johnson in tr. G. Botero Trauellers Breuiat sig. A2^v Ascertaining my selfe, that the honorable vertues..haue setled so good an impression. a1680 S. Charnock Several Disc. Existence of God (1682) 1 He could not so ascertain him self by convincing arguments. 1731 G. Medley tr. P. Kolb Present State Cape Good-Hope I. 92 Before I could ascertain myself of the religious institutions of the Hottentots. 3. a. transitive. To make (a thing) certain to the mind; to render certain what or which it is. archaic. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > absence of doubt, confidence > assured fact, certainty > making certain, assurance > assure, make certain [verb (transitive)] > establish as fact, ascertain trowa901 lookc1175 take1469 ascertaina1513 certain1523 favoura1530 establish1533 try1542 try1582 tie1623 secure1630 to make sure1644 true1647 determine1650 determinate1666 authenticate1753 constatea1773 verify1801 validate1957 a1513 R. Fabyan New Cronycles Eng. & Fraunce (1516) I. clxxvii. f. ciii Whereof the tyme is nat duely ascertayned. 1593 R. Hooker Of Lawes Eccl. Politie i. xvi. 94 Diuine law..ascertayneth the truth. 1635 A. Gil Sacred Philos. Holy Script. ii. xxiv. 183 Postellus to ascertaine this matier to the understanding, brings these reasons. 1751 J. Harris Hermes ii. i. 234 If the Essence of an Article be to define and ascertain. 1794 W. Godwin Caleb Williams III. ix. 164 The intelligence that was brought me by no means ascertained the greatness of the danger. 1850 J. Stephen Ess. Eccl. Biogr. (ed. 2) I. 154 The crypt which then ascertained the spot where the Apostle..had won the crown of martyrdom. †b. with subordinate clause. Obsolete. ΚΠ 1736 Bp. J. Butler Analogy of Relig. ii. vii. 258 In order to ascertain, and distinguish from all Others, Who is the Object of our Worship. 1787 Bp. Horne Olla Podr. xiii But who shall exactly ascertain to us what superstition is? 1823 W. Scott Peveril IV. i. 8 Initial letters..which seemed to ascertain that it was addressed to himself. †4. a. To make certain to us the existence of, establish as a certainty. Obsolete. ΚΠ 1791 J. Boswell Life Johnson anno 1712 I. 12 Which ascertains a defect that many of his friends knew he had, though I never perceived it. †b. with infinitive phr. To establish, prove (a thing to be so and so). Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > testing > proof, demonstration > prove, demonstrate [verb (transitive)] i-sothea925 soothec950 fanda1000 kitheOE betell1048 showc1175 prove?c1225 treousec1275 stablisha1325 approve1340 verifyc1386 justifya1393 tryc1412 answer?a1425 appreve?c1450 to make gooda1470 convictc1475 averifyc1503 arguea1513 find1512 pree1515 comprobate1531 demonstrate1538 conclude1549 convince1555 argument1558 evict1571 avoucha1593 evidencea1601 remonstrate1601 clear1605 attaint1609 monstrate1609 evince1610 evince1611 improve1613 remonstrance1621 to make out1653 ascertain1670 to bring off1674 to make (something) to through1675 render1678 substantiatea1691 establisha1704 to bring out1727 realize1763 validate1775 1670 G. Havers tr. G. Leti Il Cardinalismo di Santa Chiesa ii. ii. 154 These reasons..do ascertain him to be Pope. 1791 J. Boswell Life Johnson anno 1739 I. 73 [This] would ascertain it not to be the production of Johnson. 1810 Boothroyd Biblia Hebr. II. 49 The use of this word clearly ascertains it to be a participle. 5. a. To find out or learn for a certainty by experiment, examination, or investigation; to make sure of, get to know. (The only current use.) ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > discovery > find out, discover [verb (transitive)] seeOE fanda1000 finda1200 kenc1330 lenda1350 agropea1393 contrive1393 to find outc1405 outsearch?a1439 ripec1440 inventc1475 disclose?a1500 fish1531 agnize?1570 discover1585 to grope out1590 out-find1590 expiscate1598 vent1611 to learn out1629 to get to know1643 develop1653 ascertain1794 stag1796 root1866 to get a line on1903 establish1919 1794 R. J. Sulivan View of Nature I. 138 Those particular properties of bodies which are ascertained by the assistance of heat. c1854 A. P. Stanley Sinai & Palestine (1858) Pref. 16 It is important to ascertain the real facts. 1861 ‘G. Eliot’ Silas Marner i. 19 Legal measures for ascertaining the culprit. b. with infinitive or subordinate clause. ΚΠ c1803 C. J. Fox Hist. James II (1808) 23 Whether he would have acted upon this determination, his death..prevents us now from ascertaining. 1822 R. Southey in Q. Rev. 27 2 The day is ascertained to have been Good Friday. 1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. 433 The Duke of York..ascertained that the city was perfectly quiet. 1880 tr. Daudet's Fromont & Risler ii. iv. 76 He arose softly to ascertain who were these singular thieves. II. To make (a thing) objectively certain, to fix. †6. To make (a thing) sure (to a person); to render certain the possession of, ensure, secure. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > absence of doubt, confidence > assured fact, certainty > certain prospect or possession > make sure, secure [verb (transitive)] > secure to someone sure1418 ascertain1563 warrant1613 ensure1770 1563 J. Man tr. W. Musculus Common Places Christian Relig. 287 a Joynctly linked together, to assertayne the equalitie of Godhed to eche of them. 1681 R. Baxter Acct. Sherlocke iii. 175 They seem to ascertain salvation to the baptized. 1751 S. Johnson Rambler No. 134. ⁋10 No diligence can ascertain success. 1823 W. Scott St. Ronan's Well I. iii. 68 The Squire's influence..ascertained him the support of the whole class of bucks. †7. To make (a person) sure (to a thing); to bring or deliver certainly, destine or doom to. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > absence of doubt, confidence > assured fact, certainty > certain prospect or possession > make sure, secure [verb (transitive)] > make someone sure of insurec1440 secure1597 ascertain1649 cock-sure1685 1649 Bp. J. Taylor Great Exemplar vii. §13 Would ascertain us into a possession of all the promises. 1658 Whole Duty of Man (1684) x. §9. 81 Whomsoever thou..hast done thy part to ascertain to those endless flames. 1667 R. Allestree Causes Decay Christian Piety x. 277 She..is ascertain'd to sink under all the methods of ruine. †8. To make (a thing) certain, definite, or precise, by determining exactly its limits, extent, amount, position, etc.; to decide, fix, settle, limit. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > absence of doubt, confidence > assured fact, certainty > making certain, assurance > assure, make certain [verb (transitive)] > make firm, establish i-fastc950 tailc1315 terminea1325 foundc1394 stablish1447 terminate?a1475 tailyec1480 to lay down1493 ascertain1494 bishop1596 salve1596 pitch1610 assign1664 determinate1672 settle1733 to set at rest1826 definitize1876 cinch1900 1494 [implied in: R. Fabyan New Chron. Eng. ii. xxxiii. 26 So y^t no tyme asserteyned, is to her deputed or set. (at ascertained adj.)]. 1668 W. Temple in W. B. Scoones Four Cent. Eng. Lett. 125 The proportions of money..being ascertained in the treaty. 1708 Ld. Shaftesbury Let. conc. Enthusiasm 27 To suppress by Violence the natural Passion of Enthusiasm, or to endeavour to ascertain it. 1712 J. Swift Proposal for Eng. Tongue 6 Some effectual Method for Correcting, Enlarging and Ascertaining our Language. 1789 Const. U.S. i. §6 A compensation for their services, to be ascertained by law. †9. To make certain the existence or occurrence of; to reduce to a certainty. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > absence of doubt, confidence > assured fact, certainty > making certain, assurance > assure, make certain [verb (transitive)] > make a certainty of ascertain1628 assure1682 1628 O. Felltham Resolves: 2nd Cent. lxxii. sig. V6^v Evils that are but probable, they ascertaine. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1885; most recently modified version published online June 2022). < adj.1477v.1450
随便看	syllogistic syllogistical syllogistically syllogistics syllogistry syllogists syllogization syllogizations syllogize syllogized syllogizer syllogizers syllogizes syllogizing sylly-jestical syllyjestical sylow sylow subgroup sylow's theorem sylph sylph-like sylph-looking sylphic sylphiccer sylphiccest

† ascertainadj.

ascertainv.