ascertain
/ˌasəˈteɪn
/verb [with object]
Find (something) out for certain; make sure of: an attempt to ascertain the cause of the accident [with clause]: management should ascertain whether adequate funding can be provided...
- A second objective was to attempt to ascertain the limits to survival in terms of loss of conductivity.
- It would be appreciated if you would ascertain this information in a timely manner.
- Much effort has been expended in attempting to ascertain a precise antecedent to the trust in other laws.
Synonyms
find out, discover, get/come to know, work out, make out, fathom (out), become aware of, learn, ferret out, dig out/up, establish, fix, determine, settle, decide, verify, make certain of, confirm, deduce, divine, intuit, diagnose, discern, perceive, see, realize, appreciate, identify, pin down, recognize, register, understand, grasp, take in, comprehend
informal figure out, get a fix on, latch on to, cotton on to, catch on to, tumble to, get
British informal twig, suss (out)
North American informal savvy
rare cognize
Derivatives
ascertainable
/ adjective ...- The common law is not always clear, but in most fields it is reasonably ascertainable.
- He added that he would have given the cause of death as not ascertainable.
- Even then it would not derive from any objectively ascertainable standard or consensus within a recognised profession.
ascertainably
ascertainment
/ noun ...- We do not know how these subjects were selected or anything about the ascertainment of diagnosis or any other aspect of the design of the study.
- Regardless of the opinions, however, the application of ascertainment and discernment require readers to discuss the book critically.
- It allows the activation and communication of feelings which the mere ascertainment and manipulation of those circumstances and conditions would not evoke.
Origin
Late Middle English (in the sense 'assure, convince'): from Old French acertener, based on Latin certus 'settled, sure'.