Nearby Words
verb (used with object)
1.
to find out definitely; learn with certainty or assurance; determine: to ascertain the facts.
2.
Archaic. to make certain, clear, or definitely known.
Origin:
1400–50; late Middle English, variant of assertain, acertain < Middle French acertain- (tonic stem of acertener to make certain), equivalent to a- a-5 + certain certain
1400–50; late Middle English, variant of assertain, acertain < Middle French acertain- (tonic stem of acertener to make certain), equivalent to a- a-5 + certain certain
Related forms
as·cer·tain·a·ble, adjective
as·cer·tain·a·bly, adverb
as·cer·tain·er, noun
as·cer·tain·ment, noun
non·as·cer·tain·a·ble, adjective
EXPANDnon·as·cer·tain·a·ble·ness, noun
non·as·cer·tain·a·b·ly, adverb
non·as·cer·tain·ment, noun
pre·as·cer·tain, verb (used with object)
pre·as·cer·tain·ment, noun
un·as·cer·tain·a·ble, adjective
un·as·cer·tain·a·b·ly, adverb
un·as·cer·tained, adjective
well-as·cer·tained, adjective
COLLAPSE
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Ascertainable
is always a great word to know.
So is doohickey. Does it mean:
| a stew of meat, vegetables, potatoes, etc. |
| a gadget; dingus; thingumbob. |
Collins
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
ascertain
early 15c., "to inform, to give assurance," from O.Fr. acertener "to assure" (13c.), from a "to" + certain "certain" (see certain). Modern meaning of "to find out for sure by experiment or investigation" is first attested 1794.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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