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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