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.
Hear it pronounced