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1 definition found

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:

  Ascertain \As`cer*tain"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Ascertained}; p.
     pr. & vb. n. {Ascertaining}.] [OF. acertener; a (L. ad) +
     certain. See {Certain}.]
     1. To render (a person) certain; to cause to feel certain; to
        make confident; to assure; to apprise. [Obs.]
  
              When the blessed Virgin was so ascertained. --Jer.
                                                    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.
  
     2. To make (a thing) certain to the mind; to free from
        obscurity, doubt, or change; to make sure of; to fix; to
        determine. [Archaic]
  
              The divine law . . . ascertaineth the truth.
                                                    --Hooker.
  
              The very deferring [of his execution] shall increase
              and ascertain the condemnation.       --Jer. Taylor.
  
              The ministry, in order to ascertain a majority . . .
              persuaded the queen to create twelve new peers.
                                                    --Smollett.
  
              The mildness and precision of their laws ascertained
              the rule and measure of taxation.     --Gibbon.
  
     3. To find out or learn for a certainty, by trial,
        examination, or experiment; to get to know; as, to
        ascertain the weight of a commodity, or the purity of a
        metal.
  
              He was there only for the purpose of ascertaining
              whether a descent on England was practicable.
                                                    --Macaulay.

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