See ascertain on Wiktionary
Download JSON data for ascertain meaning in All languages combined (18.6kB)
{
"derived": [
{
"_dis1": "0 0 0 0",
"word": "ascertainable"
},
{
"_dis1": "0 0 0 0",
"word": "ascertainedly"
},
{
"_dis1": "0 0 0 0",
"word": "ascertainment"
}
],
"etymology_templates": [
{
"args": {
"1": "en",
"2": "ine-pro",
"3": "*krey-"
},
"expansion": "",
"name": "root"
},
{
"args": {
"1": "en",
"2": "enm",
"3": "acerteynen"
},
"expansion": "Middle English acerteynen",
"name": "inh"
},
{
"args": {
"1": "en",
"2": "fro",
"3": "acertener"
},
"expansion": "Old French acertener",
"name": "der"
},
{
"args": {
"1": "fro",
"2": "a-",
"3": "",
"4": "to, towards"
},
"expansion": "a- (“to, towards”)",
"name": "m"
},
{
"args": {
"1": "fro",
"2": "certener",
"3": "",
"4": "make sure of"
},
"expansion": "certener (“make sure of”)",
"name": "m"
},
{
"args": {
"1": "fro",
"2": "certain"
},
"expansion": "certain",
"name": "m"
},
{
"args": {
"1": "en",
"2": "la",
"3": "certus",
"4": "",
"5": "certain, fixed"
},
"expansion": "Latin certus (“certain, fixed”)",
"name": "der"
},
{
"args": {
"1": "es",
"2": "acertar"
},
"expansion": "Spanish acertar",
"name": "cog"
}
],
"etymology_text": "From Middle English acerteynen, from Old French acertener, from a- (“to, towards”) + certener (“make sure of”), from the adjective certain, from Latin certus (“certain, fixed”). Compare to Spanish acertar.",
"forms": [
{
"form": "ascertains",
"tags": [
"present",
"singular",
"third-person"
]
},
{
"form": "ascertaining",
"tags": [
"participle",
"present"
]
},
{
"form": "ascertained",
"tags": [
"participle",
"past"
]
},
{
"form": "ascertained",
"tags": [
"past"
]
}
],
"head_templates": [
{
"args": {},
"expansion": "ascertain (third-person singular simple present ascertains, present participle ascertaining, simple past and past participle ascertained)",
"name": "en-verb"
}
],
"hyphenation": [
"as‧cer‧tain"
],
"lang": "English",
"lang_code": "en",
"pos": "verb",
"senses": [
{
"categories": [
{
"_dis": "39 32 19 10",
"kind": "other",
"name": "English entries with incorrect language header",
"parents": [
"Entries with incorrect language header",
"Entry maintenance"
],
"source": "w+disamb"
}
],
"examples": [
{
"text": "As soon as we ascertain what the situation is, we can plan how to proceed.",
"type": "example"
},
{
"ref": "2023, “Split The Atom”, in Kae Tempest (lyrics), Nice Idea",
"text": "Walk the dog in the pounding rain / Looking for a way out of my brain, trapped in it / But I cannot ascertain that I'm trapped in it / Or that the traps even real so I remain trapped in this chambers",
"type": "quotation"
},
{
"ref": "2023 November 15, Prof. Jim Wild, “This train was delayed because of bad weather in space”, in RAIL, number 996, page 30",
"text": "[…] On the 18th of October, 1841, a very intense magnetic disturbance was recorded, and amongst other curious facts mentioned is that of the detention of the 10:05pm express train at Exeter for 16 minutes, as from the magnetic disturbance affecting the needles so powerfully, it was impossible to ascertain if the line was clear at Starcross. The superintendent at Exeter reported the next morning that someone was playing tricks with the instruments, and would not let them work.",
"type": "quotation"
}
],
"glosses": [
"To find out definitely; to discover or establish."
],
"id": "en-ascertain-en-verb-d7DxmjR1",
"links": [
[
"find out",
"find out"
],
[
"definitely",
"definitely"
],
[
"discover",
"discover"
],
[
"establish",
"establish"
]
],
"synonyms": [
{
"word": "determine"
},
{
"word": "discover"
},
{
"word": "establish"
},
{
"word": "find out"
},
{
"word": "learn"
},
{
"word": "work out"
}
],
"translations": [
{
"_dis1": "83 2 14 2",
"code": "ar",
"lang": "Arabic",
"roman": "tayaqqana",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "تَيَقَّنَ"
},
{
"_dis1": "83 2 14 2",
"code": "ar",
"lang": "Arabic",
"roman": "taṯabbata",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "تَثَبَّتَ"
},
{
"_dis1": "83 2 14 2",
"code": "hy",
"lang": "Armenian",
"roman": "havastianal",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "հավաստիանալ"
},
{
"_dis1": "83 2 14 2",
"code": "hy",
"lang": "Armenian",
"roman": "hamozvel",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "համոզվել"
},
{
"_dis1": "83 2 14 2",
"code": "hy",
"lang": "Armenian",
"roman": "parzel",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "պարզել"
},
{
"_dis1": "83 2 14 2",
"code": "hy",
"lang": "Armenian",
"roman": "hastatel",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "հաստատել"
},
{
"_dis1": "83 2 14 2",
"code": "bg",
"lang": "Bulgarian",
"roman": "ustanovjavam",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "установявам"
},
{
"_dis1": "83 2 14 2",
"code": "bg",
"lang": "Bulgarian",
"roman": "ubeždavam se",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "убеждавам се"
},
{
"_dis1": "83 2 14 2",
"code": "ca",
"lang": "Catalan",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "establir"
},
{
"_dis1": "83 2 14 2",
"code": "ca",
"lang": "Catalan",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "determinar"
},
{
"_dis1": "83 2 14 2",
"code": "chr",
"lang": "Cherokee",
"roman": "agadvdiyi",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "ᎠᎦᏛᏗᏱ"
},
{
"_dis1": "83 2 14 2",
"code": "cmn",
"lang": "Chinese Mandarin",
"roman": "chámíng",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "查明"
},
{
"_dis1": "83 2 14 2",
"code": "cs",
"lang": "Czech",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "zjistit"
},
{
"_dis1": "83 2 14 2",
"code": "da",
"lang": "Danish",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "konstatere"
},
{
"_dis1": "83 2 14 2",
"code": "nl",
"lang": "Dutch",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "constateren"
},
{
"_dis1": "83 2 14 2",
"code": "nl",
"lang": "Dutch",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "vaststellen"
},
{
"_dis1": "83 2 14 2",
"code": "nl",
"lang": "Dutch",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "vergewissen"
},
{
"_dis1": "83 2 14 2",
"code": "eo",
"lang": "Esperanto",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "konstati"
},
{
"_dis1": "83 2 14 2",
"code": "fi",
"lang": "Finnish",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "saada selville"
},
{
"_dis1": "83 2 14 2",
"code": "fi",
"lang": "Finnish",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "varmistaa"
},
{
"_dis1": "83 2 14 2",
"code": "fi",
"lang": "Finnish",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "selvittää"
},
{
"_dis1": "83 2 14 2",
"code": "fr",
"lang": "French",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "constater"
},
{
"_dis1": "83 2 14 2",
"code": "fr",
"lang": "French",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "définir"
},
{
"_dis1": "83 2 14 2",
"code": "de",
"lang": "German",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "feststellen"
},
{
"_dis1": "83 2 14 2",
"code": "he",
"lang": "Hebrew",
"roman": "vidé",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "וידא"
},
{
"_dis1": "83 2 14 2",
"code": "hu",
"lang": "Hungarian",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "megbizonyosodik"
},
{
"_dis1": "83 2 14 2",
"code": "is",
"lang": "Icelandic",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "ganga úr skugga um"
},
{
"_dis1": "83 2 14 2",
"code": "is",
"lang": "Icelandic",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "fá fullvissu um"
},
{
"_dis1": "83 2 14 2",
"code": "is",
"lang": "Icelandic",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "komast eftir"
},
{
"_dis1": "83 2 14 2",
"code": "is",
"lang": "Icelandic",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "komast að"
},
{
"_dis1": "83 2 14 2",
"code": "it",
"lang": "Italian",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "accertare"
},
{
"_dis1": "83 2 14 2",
"code": "it",
"lang": "Italian",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "appurare"
},
{
"_dis1": "83 2 14 2",
"code": "it",
"lang": "Italian",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "stabilire"
},
{
"_dis1": "83 2 14 2",
"code": "it",
"lang": "Italian",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "constatare"
},
{
"_dis1": "83 2 14 2",
"code": "it",
"lang": "Italian",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "riscontrare"
},
{
"_dis1": "83 2 14 2",
"alt": "たしかめる",
"code": "ja",
"lang": "Japanese",
"roman": "tashikameru",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "確かめる"
},
{
"_dis1": "83 2 14 2",
"code": "ko",
"lang": "Korean",
"roman": "myeongbaekhihada",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "명백히하다"
},
{
"_dis1": "83 2 14 2",
"code": "la",
"lang": "Latin",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "scīscō"
},
{
"_dis1": "83 2 14 2",
"code": "la",
"lang": "Latin",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "comperiō"
},
{
"_dis1": "83 2 14 2",
"code": "mk",
"lang": "Macedonian",
"roman": "utvrduva",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "утврдува"
},
{
"_dis1": "83 2 14 2",
"code": "mk",
"lang": "Macedonian",
"roman": "vostanovuva",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "востановува"
},
{
"_dis1": "83 2 14 2",
"code": "mk",
"lang": "Macedonian",
"roman": "ustanovuva",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "установува"
},
{
"_dis1": "83 2 14 2",
"code": "mi",
"lang": "Maori",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "rapu"
},
{
"_dis1": "83 2 14 2",
"code": "no",
"lang": "Norwegian",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "fastslå"
},
{
"_dis1": "83 2 14 2",
"code": "pl",
"lang": "Polish",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"tags": [
"imperfective"
],
"word": "ustalać"
},
{
"_dis1": "83 2 14 2",
"code": "pl",
"lang": "Polish",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"tags": [
"perfective"
],
"word": "ustalić"
},
{
"_dis1": "83 2 14 2",
"code": "pt",
"lang": "Portuguese",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "averiguar"
},
{
"_dis1": "83 2 14 2",
"code": "pt",
"lang": "Portuguese",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "determinar"
},
{
"_dis1": "83 2 14 2",
"code": "pt",
"lang": "Portuguese",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "estabelecer"
},
{
"_dis1": "83 2 14 2",
"code": "pt",
"lang": "Portuguese",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "apurar"
},
{
"_dis1": "83 2 14 2",
"code": "pt",
"lang": "Portuguese",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "constatar"
},
{
"_dis1": "83 2 14 2",
"code": "ru",
"lang": "Russian",
"roman": "udostoverjátʹsja",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"tags": [
"imperfective"
],
"word": "удостоверя́ться"
},
{
"_dis1": "83 2 14 2",
"code": "ru",
"lang": "Russian",
"roman": "udostovéritʹsja",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"tags": [
"perfective"
],
"word": "удостове́риться"
},
{
"_dis1": "83 2 14 2",
"code": "ru",
"lang": "Russian",
"roman": "ubeždátʹsja",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"tags": [
"imperfective"
],
"word": "убежда́ться"
},
{
"_dis1": "83 2 14 2",
"code": "ru",
"lang": "Russian",
"roman": "ubedítʹsja",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"tags": [
"perfective"
],
"word": "убеди́ться"
},
{
"_dis1": "83 2 14 2",
"code": "ru",
"lang": "Russian",
"roman": "ustanávlivatʹ",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"tags": [
"imperfective"
],
"word": "устана́вливать"
},
{
"_dis1": "83 2 14 2",
"code": "ru",
"lang": "Russian",
"roman": "ustanovítʹ",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"tags": [
"perfective"
],
"word": "установи́ть"
},
{
"_dis1": "83 2 14 2",
"code": "es",
"lang": "Spanish",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "averiguar"
},
{
"_dis1": "83 2 14 2",
"code": "es",
"lang": "Spanish",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "determinar"
},
{
"_dis1": "83 2 14 2",
"code": "es",
"lang": "Spanish",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "establecer"
},
{
"_dis1": "83 2 14 2",
"code": "es",
"lang": "Spanish",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "definir"
},
{
"_dis1": "83 2 14 2",
"code": "sv",
"lang": "Swedish",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "fastställa"
},
{
"_dis1": "83 2 14 2",
"code": "sv",
"lang": "Swedish",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "förvissa sig om"
},
{
"_dis1": "83 2 14 2",
"code": "sv",
"lang": "Swedish",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "ta reda på"
},
{
"_dis1": "83 2 14 2",
"code": "uk",
"lang": "Ukrainian",
"roman": "ustanóvljuvaty",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"tags": [
"imperfective"
],
"word": "устано́влювати"
},
{
"_dis1": "83 2 14 2",
"code": "uk",
"lang": "Ukrainian",
"roman": "ustanovýty",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"tags": [
"perfective"
],
"word": "установи́ти"
},
{
"_dis1": "83 2 14 2",
"code": "uk",
"lang": "Ukrainian",
"roman": "vstanóvljuvaty",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"tags": [
"imperfective"
],
"word": "встано́влювати"
},
{
"_dis1": "83 2 14 2",
"code": "uk",
"lang": "Ukrainian",
"roman": "vstanovýty",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"tags": [
"perfective"
],
"word": "встанови́ти"
},
{
"_dis1": "83 2 14 2",
"code": "uk",
"lang": "Ukrainian",
"roman": "zʺjasóvuvaty",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"tags": [
"imperfective"
],
"word": "з'ясо́вувати"
},
{
"_dis1": "83 2 14 2",
"code": "uk",
"lang": "Ukrainian",
"roman": "zʺjasuváty",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"tags": [
"perfective"
],
"word": "з'ясува́ти"
}
]
},
{
"categories": [
{
"_dis": "39 32 19 10",
"kind": "other",
"name": "English entries with incorrect language header",
"parents": [
"Entries with incorrect language header",
"Entry maintenance"
],
"source": "w+disamb"
}
],
"examples": [
{
"ref": "1436, Sir Nicholas Harris Nicolas, editor, Proceedings and Ordinances of the Privy Council of England, volume IV, published 1835, page 352c",
"text": "Therfore the saide cõmissioners shall mowe say that nowe late during the parlement the King ascertaigned of the saide maliciouse pʳpose of his enemys, willed and desired the lords being then present to shewe their̃ good willes aide and helpe for the saide rescues[…]",
"type": "quotation"
},
{
"ref": "1844 [1483], Caroline A. Halsted, quoting Richard III, chapter XV, in Richard III as Duke of Gloucester and King of England, page 307",
"text": "We would most gladly ye came yourself if that ye may […] praying you to ascertain us of your News.",
"type": "quotation"
},
{
"ref": "1769, William Robertson, “The History of the Reign of the Emperor Charles V”, in George Gleig, editor, The Historical Works of William Robertson, volume V, Edinburgh: Doig & Stirling, published 1813, page 395",
"text": "Muncer Assured them, that the design was approved of by Heaven, and that the Almighty had in a dream ascertained him of its success.",
"type": "quotation"
}
],
"glosses": [
"To make (someone) certain or confident about something; to inform."
],
"id": "en-ascertain-en-verb-CmkY0Amn",
"links": [
[
"certain",
"certain"
],
[
"confident",
"confident"
],
[
"inform",
"inform"
]
],
"raw_glosses": [
"(obsolete) To make (someone) certain or confident about something; to inform."
],
"tags": [
"obsolete"
]
},
{
"categories": [
{
"_dis": "39 32 19 10",
"kind": "other",
"name": "English entries with incorrect language header",
"parents": [
"Entries with incorrect language header",
"Entry maintenance"
],
"source": "w+disamb"
}
],
"examples": [
{
"ref": "1791, William Cowper, Homer’s Odyssey, volume II, book XI, page 274 (footnote)",
"text": "The two firſt lines of the following book ſeem to aſcertain the true meaning of the concluſion of this, and to prove ſufficiently that by Ωκεανός here, Homer could not poſſibly intend any other than a river.",
"type": "quotation"
},
{
"ref": "1800, Edward Malone, The Critical and Miscellaneous Prose Works of John Dryden, volume III, London: H. Baldwin and Son, page 382 (note 8)",
"text": "In 1695 he [Walter Moyle] was chosen to represent the borough of Saltash in parliament ; a circumstance which ascertains the piece before us to have been written subsequent to that period.",
"type": "quotation"
},
{
"ref": "1842, Isaac D'Israeli, “The Ship of Fools”, in Amenities of Literature: Consisting of Sketches and Characters of English Literature, volume I, Paris: Baudry, page 254",
"text": "We must look somewhat deeper would we learn why a book which now tries our patience was not undeserving of those multiplied editions which have ascertained its popularity.",
"type": "quotation"
}
],
"glosses": [
"To establish, to prove."
],
"id": "en-ascertain-en-verb-LIfmU59f",
"links": [
[
"establish",
"establish"
],
[
"prove",
"prove"
]
],
"raw_glosses": [
"(archaic) To establish, to prove."
],
"tags": [
"archaic"
]
},
{
"categories": [
{
"_dis": "39 32 19 10",
"kind": "other",
"name": "English entries with incorrect language header",
"parents": [
"Entries with incorrect language header",
"Entry maintenance"
],
"source": "w+disamb"
}
],
"examples": [
{
"ref": "1751 June 29, Samuel Johnson, The Rambler, volume III, number 134, London: A. Millar et al., published 1761, page 155",
"text": "It is true, that no diligence can aſcertain ſucceſs ; death may intercept the ſwifteſt career ; but he who is cut off in the execution of an honeſt undertaking, has at leaſt the honour of falling in his rank, and has fought the battle, though he miſſed the victory.",
"type": "quotation"
},
{
"ref": "1757–65, Tobias Smollet, chapter X, in The History of England from the Revolution to the Death of George II, volume II, London: Richardson & Co., published 1830, page 224",
"text": "The ministry, in order to ascertain a majority in the house of lords, persuaded the queen to take a measure which nothing but necessity could justify.",
"type": "quotation"
},
{
"ref": "1824, Sir Walter Scott, “Administration”, in St. Ronan's Well, Boston: Samuel H. Parker, page 29",
"text": "On the contrary, the Squire’s influence as a man of family and property, in the immediate neighbourhood, who actually kept greyhounds, and at least talked of hunters and races, ascertained him the support of the whole class of bucks, half and whole bred, from the three next counties ; and if more inducements were wanting, he could grant his favourites the privilege of shooting over his moors, which is enough to turn the head of a young Scotchman at any time.",
"type": "quotation"
}
],
"glosses": [
"To ensure or effect."
],
"id": "en-ascertain-en-verb-KOiN46p2",
"links": [
[
"ensure",
"ensure"
],
[
"effect",
"effect"
]
],
"raw_glosses": [
"(archaic) To ensure or effect."
],
"tags": [
"archaic"
]
}
],
"sounds": [
{
"ipa": "/ˌæsəˈteɪn/",
"tags": [
"UK"
]
},
{
"ipa": "/ˌæsɚˈteɪn/",
"tags": [
"US"
]
},
{
"rhymes": "-eɪn"
},
{
"audio": "en-us-ascertain.ogg",
"mp3_url": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/transcoded/6/69/En-us-ascertain.ogg/En-us-ascertain.ogg.mp3",
"ogg_url": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/69/En-us-ascertain.ogg",
"tags": [
"US"
],
"text": "Audio (US)"
},
{
"enpr": "ăs'-ər-tānʹ"
}
],
"word": "ascertain"
}
{
"categories": [
"English 3-syllable words",
"English entries with incorrect language header",
"English lemmas",
"English terms derived from Latin",
"English terms derived from Middle English",
"English terms derived from Old French",
"English terms derived from Proto-Indo-European",
"English terms derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *krey-",
"English terms inherited from Middle English",
"English terms with IPA pronunciation",
"English terms with audio links",
"English verbs",
"Rhymes:English/eɪn",
"Rhymes:English/eɪn/3 syllables"
],
"derived": [
{
"word": "ascertainable"
},
{
"word": "ascertainedly"
},
{
"word": "ascertainment"
}
],
"etymology_templates": [
{
"args": {
"1": "en",
"2": "ine-pro",
"3": "*krey-"
},
"expansion": "",
"name": "root"
},
{
"args": {
"1": "en",
"2": "enm",
"3": "acerteynen"
},
"expansion": "Middle English acerteynen",
"name": "inh"
},
{
"args": {
"1": "en",
"2": "fro",
"3": "acertener"
},
"expansion": "Old French acertener",
"name": "der"
},
{
"args": {
"1": "fro",
"2": "a-",
"3": "",
"4": "to, towards"
},
"expansion": "a- (“to, towards”)",
"name": "m"
},
{
"args": {
"1": "fro",
"2": "certener",
"3": "",
"4": "make sure of"
},
"expansion": "certener (“make sure of”)",
"name": "m"
},
{
"args": {
"1": "fro",
"2": "certain"
},
"expansion": "certain",
"name": "m"
},
{
"args": {
"1": "en",
"2": "la",
"3": "certus",
"4": "",
"5": "certain, fixed"
},
"expansion": "Latin certus (“certain, fixed”)",
"name": "der"
},
{
"args": {
"1": "es",
"2": "acertar"
},
"expansion": "Spanish acertar",
"name": "cog"
}
],
"etymology_text": "From Middle English acerteynen, from Old French acertener, from a- (“to, towards”) + certener (“make sure of”), from the adjective certain, from Latin certus (“certain, fixed”). Compare to Spanish acertar.",
"forms": [
{
"form": "ascertains",
"tags": [
"present",
"singular",
"third-person"
]
},
{
"form": "ascertaining",
"tags": [
"participle",
"present"
]
},
{
"form": "ascertained",
"tags": [
"participle",
"past"
]
},
{
"form": "ascertained",
"tags": [
"past"
]
}
],
"head_templates": [
{
"args": {},
"expansion": "ascertain (third-person singular simple present ascertains, present participle ascertaining, simple past and past participle ascertained)",
"name": "en-verb"
}
],
"hyphenation": [
"as‧cer‧tain"
],
"lang": "English",
"lang_code": "en",
"pos": "verb",
"senses": [
{
"categories": [
"English terms with quotations",
"English terms with usage examples"
],
"examples": [
{
"text": "As soon as we ascertain what the situation is, we can plan how to proceed.",
"type": "example"
},
{
"ref": "2023, “Split The Atom”, in Kae Tempest (lyrics), Nice Idea",
"text": "Walk the dog in the pounding rain / Looking for a way out of my brain, trapped in it / But I cannot ascertain that I'm trapped in it / Or that the traps even real so I remain trapped in this chambers",
"type": "quotation"
},
{
"ref": "2023 November 15, Prof. Jim Wild, “This train was delayed because of bad weather in space”, in RAIL, number 996, page 30",
"text": "[…] On the 18th of October, 1841, a very intense magnetic disturbance was recorded, and amongst other curious facts mentioned is that of the detention of the 10:05pm express train at Exeter for 16 minutes, as from the magnetic disturbance affecting the needles so powerfully, it was impossible to ascertain if the line was clear at Starcross. The superintendent at Exeter reported the next morning that someone was playing tricks with the instruments, and would not let them work.",
"type": "quotation"
}
],
"glosses": [
"To find out definitely; to discover or establish."
],
"links": [
[
"find out",
"find out"
],
[
"definitely",
"definitely"
],
[
"discover",
"discover"
],
[
"establish",
"establish"
]
],
"synonyms": [
{
"word": "determine"
},
{
"word": "discover"
},
{
"word": "establish"
},
{
"word": "find out"
},
{
"word": "learn"
},
{
"word": "work out"
}
]
},
{
"categories": [
"English terms with obsolete senses",
"English terms with quotations"
],
"examples": [
{
"ref": "1436, Sir Nicholas Harris Nicolas, editor, Proceedings and Ordinances of the Privy Council of England, volume IV, published 1835, page 352c",
"text": "Therfore the saide cõmissioners shall mowe say that nowe late during the parlement the King ascertaigned of the saide maliciouse pʳpose of his enemys, willed and desired the lords being then present to shewe their̃ good willes aide and helpe for the saide rescues[…]",
"type": "quotation"
},
{
"ref": "1844 [1483], Caroline A. Halsted, quoting Richard III, chapter XV, in Richard III as Duke of Gloucester and King of England, page 307",
"text": "We would most gladly ye came yourself if that ye may […] praying you to ascertain us of your News.",
"type": "quotation"
},
{
"ref": "1769, William Robertson, “The History of the Reign of the Emperor Charles V”, in George Gleig, editor, The Historical Works of William Robertson, volume V, Edinburgh: Doig & Stirling, published 1813, page 395",
"text": "Muncer Assured them, that the design was approved of by Heaven, and that the Almighty had in a dream ascertained him of its success.",
"type": "quotation"
}
],
"glosses": [
"To make (someone) certain or confident about something; to inform."
],
"links": [
[
"certain",
"certain"
],
[
"confident",
"confident"
],
[
"inform",
"inform"
]
],
"raw_glosses": [
"(obsolete) To make (someone) certain or confident about something; to inform."
],
"tags": [
"obsolete"
]
},
{
"categories": [
"English terms with archaic senses",
"English terms with quotations"
],
"examples": [
{
"ref": "1791, William Cowper, Homer’s Odyssey, volume II, book XI, page 274 (footnote)",
"text": "The two firſt lines of the following book ſeem to aſcertain the true meaning of the concluſion of this, and to prove ſufficiently that by Ωκεανός here, Homer could not poſſibly intend any other than a river.",
"type": "quotation"
},
{
"ref": "1800, Edward Malone, The Critical and Miscellaneous Prose Works of John Dryden, volume III, London: H. Baldwin and Son, page 382 (note 8)",
"text": "In 1695 he [Walter Moyle] was chosen to represent the borough of Saltash in parliament ; a circumstance which ascertains the piece before us to have been written subsequent to that period.",
"type": "quotation"
},
{
"ref": "1842, Isaac D'Israeli, “The Ship of Fools”, in Amenities of Literature: Consisting of Sketches and Characters of English Literature, volume I, Paris: Baudry, page 254",
"text": "We must look somewhat deeper would we learn why a book which now tries our patience was not undeserving of those multiplied editions which have ascertained its popularity.",
"type": "quotation"
}
],
"glosses": [
"To establish, to prove."
],
"links": [
[
"establish",
"establish"
],
[
"prove",
"prove"
]
],
"raw_glosses": [
"(archaic) To establish, to prove."
],
"tags": [
"archaic"
]
},
{
"categories": [
"English terms with archaic senses",
"English terms with quotations"
],
"examples": [
{
"ref": "1751 June 29, Samuel Johnson, The Rambler, volume III, number 134, London: A. Millar et al., published 1761, page 155",
"text": "It is true, that no diligence can aſcertain ſucceſs ; death may intercept the ſwifteſt career ; but he who is cut off in the execution of an honeſt undertaking, has at leaſt the honour of falling in his rank, and has fought the battle, though he miſſed the victory.",
"type": "quotation"
},
{
"ref": "1757–65, Tobias Smollet, chapter X, in The History of England from the Revolution to the Death of George II, volume II, London: Richardson & Co., published 1830, page 224",
"text": "The ministry, in order to ascertain a majority in the house of lords, persuaded the queen to take a measure which nothing but necessity could justify.",
"type": "quotation"
},
{
"ref": "1824, Sir Walter Scott, “Administration”, in St. Ronan's Well, Boston: Samuel H. Parker, page 29",
"text": "On the contrary, the Squire’s influence as a man of family and property, in the immediate neighbourhood, who actually kept greyhounds, and at least talked of hunters and races, ascertained him the support of the whole class of bucks, half and whole bred, from the three next counties ; and if more inducements were wanting, he could grant his favourites the privilege of shooting over his moors, which is enough to turn the head of a young Scotchman at any time.",
"type": "quotation"
}
],
"glosses": [
"To ensure or effect."
],
"links": [
[
"ensure",
"ensure"
],
[
"effect",
"effect"
]
],
"raw_glosses": [
"(archaic) To ensure or effect."
],
"tags": [
"archaic"
]
}
],
"sounds": [
{
"ipa": "/ˌæsəˈteɪn/",
"tags": [
"UK"
]
},
{
"ipa": "/ˌæsɚˈteɪn/",
"tags": [
"US"
]
},
{
"rhymes": "-eɪn"
},
{
"audio": "en-us-ascertain.ogg",
"mp3_url": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/transcoded/6/69/En-us-ascertain.ogg/En-us-ascertain.ogg.mp3",
"ogg_url": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/69/En-us-ascertain.ogg",
"tags": [
"US"
],
"text": "Audio (US)"
},
{
"enpr": "ăs'-ər-tānʹ"
}
],
"translations": [
{
"code": "ar",
"lang": "Arabic",
"roman": "tayaqqana",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "تَيَقَّنَ"
},
{
"code": "ar",
"lang": "Arabic",
"roman": "taṯabbata",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "تَثَبَّتَ"
},
{
"code": "hy",
"lang": "Armenian",
"roman": "havastianal",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "հավաստիանալ"
},
{
"code": "hy",
"lang": "Armenian",
"roman": "hamozvel",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "համոզվել"
},
{
"code": "hy",
"lang": "Armenian",
"roman": "parzel",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "պարզել"
},
{
"code": "hy",
"lang": "Armenian",
"roman": "hastatel",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "հաստատել"
},
{
"code": "bg",
"lang": "Bulgarian",
"roman": "ustanovjavam",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "установявам"
},
{
"code": "bg",
"lang": "Bulgarian",
"roman": "ubeždavam se",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "убеждавам се"
},
{
"code": "ca",
"lang": "Catalan",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "establir"
},
{
"code": "ca",
"lang": "Catalan",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "determinar"
},
{
"code": "chr",
"lang": "Cherokee",
"roman": "agadvdiyi",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "ᎠᎦᏛᏗᏱ"
},
{
"code": "cmn",
"lang": "Chinese Mandarin",
"roman": "chámíng",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "查明"
},
{
"code": "cs",
"lang": "Czech",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "zjistit"
},
{
"code": "da",
"lang": "Danish",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "konstatere"
},
{
"code": "nl",
"lang": "Dutch",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "constateren"
},
{
"code": "nl",
"lang": "Dutch",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "vaststellen"
},
{
"code": "nl",
"lang": "Dutch",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "vergewissen"
},
{
"code": "eo",
"lang": "Esperanto",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "konstati"
},
{
"code": "fi",
"lang": "Finnish",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "saada selville"
},
{
"code": "fi",
"lang": "Finnish",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "varmistaa"
},
{
"code": "fi",
"lang": "Finnish",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "selvittää"
},
{
"code": "fr",
"lang": "French",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "constater"
},
{
"code": "fr",
"lang": "French",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "définir"
},
{
"code": "de",
"lang": "German",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "feststellen"
},
{
"code": "he",
"lang": "Hebrew",
"roman": "vidé",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "וידא"
},
{
"code": "hu",
"lang": "Hungarian",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "megbizonyosodik"
},
{
"code": "is",
"lang": "Icelandic",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "ganga úr skugga um"
},
{
"code": "is",
"lang": "Icelandic",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "fá fullvissu um"
},
{
"code": "is",
"lang": "Icelandic",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "komast eftir"
},
{
"code": "is",
"lang": "Icelandic",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "komast að"
},
{
"code": "it",
"lang": "Italian",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "accertare"
},
{
"code": "it",
"lang": "Italian",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "appurare"
},
{
"code": "it",
"lang": "Italian",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "stabilire"
},
{
"code": "it",
"lang": "Italian",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "constatare"
},
{
"code": "it",
"lang": "Italian",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "riscontrare"
},
{
"alt": "たしかめる",
"code": "ja",
"lang": "Japanese",
"roman": "tashikameru",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "確かめる"
},
{
"code": "ko",
"lang": "Korean",
"roman": "myeongbaekhihada",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "명백히하다"
},
{
"code": "la",
"lang": "Latin",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "scīscō"
},
{
"code": "la",
"lang": "Latin",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "comperiō"
},
{
"code": "mk",
"lang": "Macedonian",
"roman": "utvrduva",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "утврдува"
},
{
"code": "mk",
"lang": "Macedonian",
"roman": "vostanovuva",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "востановува"
},
{
"code": "mk",
"lang": "Macedonian",
"roman": "ustanovuva",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "установува"
},
{
"code": "mi",
"lang": "Maori",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "rapu"
},
{
"code": "no",
"lang": "Norwegian",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "fastslå"
},
{
"code": "pl",
"lang": "Polish",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"tags": [
"imperfective"
],
"word": "ustalać"
},
{
"code": "pl",
"lang": "Polish",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"tags": [
"perfective"
],
"word": "ustalić"
},
{
"code": "pt",
"lang": "Portuguese",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "averiguar"
},
{
"code": "pt",
"lang": "Portuguese",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "determinar"
},
{
"code": "pt",
"lang": "Portuguese",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "estabelecer"
},
{
"code": "pt",
"lang": "Portuguese",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "apurar"
},
{
"code": "pt",
"lang": "Portuguese",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "constatar"
},
{
"code": "ru",
"lang": "Russian",
"roman": "udostoverjátʹsja",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"tags": [
"imperfective"
],
"word": "удостоверя́ться"
},
{
"code": "ru",
"lang": "Russian",
"roman": "udostovéritʹsja",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"tags": [
"perfective"
],
"word": "удостове́риться"
},
{
"code": "ru",
"lang": "Russian",
"roman": "ubeždátʹsja",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"tags": [
"imperfective"
],
"word": "убежда́ться"
},
{
"code": "ru",
"lang": "Russian",
"roman": "ubedítʹsja",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"tags": [
"perfective"
],
"word": "убеди́ться"
},
{
"code": "ru",
"lang": "Russian",
"roman": "ustanávlivatʹ",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"tags": [
"imperfective"
],
"word": "устана́вливать"
},
{
"code": "ru",
"lang": "Russian",
"roman": "ustanovítʹ",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"tags": [
"perfective"
],
"word": "установи́ть"
},
{
"code": "es",
"lang": "Spanish",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "averiguar"
},
{
"code": "es",
"lang": "Spanish",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "determinar"
},
{
"code": "es",
"lang": "Spanish",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "establecer"
},
{
"code": "es",
"lang": "Spanish",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "definir"
},
{
"code": "sv",
"lang": "Swedish",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "fastställa"
},
{
"code": "sv",
"lang": "Swedish",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "förvissa sig om"
},
{
"code": "sv",
"lang": "Swedish",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"word": "ta reda på"
},
{
"code": "uk",
"lang": "Ukrainian",
"roman": "ustanóvljuvaty",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"tags": [
"imperfective"
],
"word": "устано́влювати"
},
{
"code": "uk",
"lang": "Ukrainian",
"roman": "ustanovýty",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"tags": [
"perfective"
],
"word": "установи́ти"
},
{
"code": "uk",
"lang": "Ukrainian",
"roman": "vstanóvljuvaty",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"tags": [
"imperfective"
],
"word": "встано́влювати"
},
{
"code": "uk",
"lang": "Ukrainian",
"roman": "vstanovýty",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"tags": [
"perfective"
],
"word": "встанови́ти"
},
{
"code": "uk",
"lang": "Ukrainian",
"roman": "zʺjasóvuvaty",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"tags": [
"imperfective"
],
"word": "з'ясо́вувати"
},
{
"code": "uk",
"lang": "Ukrainian",
"roman": "zʺjasuváty",
"sense": "find out; discover or establish",
"tags": [
"perfective"
],
"word": "з'ясува́ти"
}
],
"word": "ascertain"
}
This page is a part of the kaikki.org machine-readable All languages combined dictionary. This dictionary is based on structured data extracted on 2024-05-03 from the enwiktionary dump dated 2024-05-02 using wiktextract (f4fd8c9 and c9440ce). The data shown on this site has been post-processed and various details (e.g., extra categories) removed, some information disambiguated, and additional data merged from other sources. See the raw data download page for the unprocessed wiktextract data.
If you use this data in academic research, please cite Tatu Ylonen: Wiktextract: Wiktionary as Machine-Readable Structured Data, Proceedings of the 13th Conference on Language Resources and Evaluation (LREC), pp. 1317-1325, Marseille, 20-25 June 2022. Linking to the relevant page(s) under https://kaikki.org would also be greatly appreciated.