As-cer-tāin', v. t.
v. t. [imp. & p. p. ASCERTAINED; p. pr. & vb. n. ASCERTAINING.] [O. Fr. ascertainer, acertainer, acertener, acerteneir, acerter, from certain, cert. See CERTAIN.] 1. To make certain; to establish with certainty or precision; to free from obscurity, doubt, or change; to make sure of; to fix. The divine law ascertains the truth. Hooker. The very deferring (of his execution) shall increase and ascertain the condemnation. Bp. Taylor. The ministry, in order to ascertain a majority in the House of Lords, persuaded the queen to create twelve new peers. Smollett. The mildness and precision of their laws ascertained the rule and measure of taxation. Gibbon.
- To find out or learn for a certainty, by trial, examination, or experiment; as, to ascertain the weight of a commodity, or the purity of a metal.
- To cause to feel certain; to make confident; to assure. “When the blessed Virgin was so ascertained.” Bp. 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.