As·cer·tain v. t. [imp. & p. p. Ascertained p. pr. & vb. n. Ascertaining.]
 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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