verb
ascertain
as-er-TAYN/ˌæsərˈteɪn/
To find out or determine with certainty.
The woman ascertains the parcel's exact weight by reading the scale.
Etymology
Built on the idea of being sure, ascertain originally meant to inform someone or give assurance. The emphasis shifted from assuring another person to establishing something for sure through investigation.
In context
do you wish to write to the crown office in pf service to ascertain the level investigation carried out into the 4,000 deaths classed as self-inflicted for the Last 5 Years
More examples
- We need to ascertain the cause of the failure.
- She ascertained that both copies were genuine.
- They are ascertaining which houses still lack electricity.
Forms
ascertain · ascertains · ascertained · ascertaining