ascertain

Definition

To find out definitely; to discover or establish.

Etymology

From Middle English acerteynen, from Old French acertener, from a- (“to, towards”) + certener (“make sure of”), from the adjective certain, from Latin certus (“certain, fixed”). Compare to Spanish acertar.

Example Sentences

• "As soon as we ascertain what the situation is, we can plan how to proceed."
• "“There the cause of death was soon ascertained ; the victim of this daring outrage had been stabbed to death from ear to ear with a long, sharp instrument, in shape like an antique stiletto, which […] was subsequently found under the cushions of the hansom.[…]”"
• "Walk the dog in the pounding rain / Looking for a way out of my brain, trapped in it / But I cannot ascertain that I'm trapped in it / Or that the traps even real so I remain trapped in this chambers"