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ascertainment

 - 3 dictionary results

as⋅cer⋅tain

  [as-er-teyn]
Use ascertainment in a Sentence
–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 ME, var. of assertain, acertain < MF acertain- (tonic s. of acertener to make certain), equiv. 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

Synonyms:
1. See learn.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To ascertainment
as·cer·tain   (ās'ər-tān')   
tr.v.   as·cer·tained, as·cer·tain·ing, as·cer·tains

  1. To discover with certainty, as through examination or experimentation. See Synonyms at discover.

  2. Archaic To make certain, definite, and precise.


[Middle English acertainen, to inform, from Old French acertener, ascertain- : a-, to (from Latin ad-; see ad-) + certain, certain; see certain.]
as'cer·tain'a·ble adj., as'cer·tain'a·ble·ness n., as'cer·tain'a·bly adv., as'cer·tain'ment n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

ascertain 
1417, "to inform, to give assurance," from O.Fr. acertener "to assure," 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, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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