ascertain

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: B1 — Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. verb establish after a calculation, investigation, experiment, survey, or study
  2. verb be careful or certain to do something; make certain of something
  3. verb find out, learn, or determine with certainty, usually by making an inquiry or other effort

Etymology

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.

In classic literature

Synonyms

determine, find, find out

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