ascertain in English
- ascertain⇄ascertain, transitive verb.
to find out for certain by trial and research; make sure of; determine.
Ex. The detective tried to ascertain the facts about the robbery. The question is how to ascertain what the people really want (Atlantic).ascertain⇄noun ascertainment.
ascertain in Gujarati ગુજરાતી
ascertain in Malayalam മലയാളം
ascertain in Sindhi سنڌي
ascertain in Tamil தமிழ்
ascertain in Telugu తెలుగు
Ascertain
Part of Speech
Verb
Pronunciation
/ˌæs.əˈteɪn/
Definitions
- To find out or determine with certainty, typically through investigation or examination.
- To make sure of something by checking or verifying it.
- To discover or ascertain facts about something, often to confirm or validate them.
Usage Examples
- The detective worked hard to ascertain the identity of the suspect.
- The scientist aimed to ascertain the effects of the new treatment.
- Before making a decision, she needed to ascertain all the facts.
Etymology
Derived from the Old French word "acertainir," meaning "to make certain," from the Late Latin "certus," meaning "certain." The word has been in use in English since the early 16th century.
Synonyms
- Determine
- Confirm
- Verify
- Establish
- Confirm
- Discover
Antonyms
- Ignore
- Disregard
- Neglect
- Overlook
- Confuse
Translations
| Language | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish | Verificar | /beɾi.fiˈkaɾ/ |
| French | Vérifier | /veʁi.fje/ |
| German | Feststellen | /ˈfɛstˌʃtɛlən/ |
| Italian | Accertare | /atʃerˈtaːre/ |
| Chinese | 确认 | /què rèn/ |
| Hindi | सुनिश्चित करना | /suːnɪʃt kərnɑː/ |
| Arabic | تحقق | /tahaqaq/ |
| Russian | Установить | /ʊstɐˈnɔvʲɪtʲ/ |
| Portuguese | Certificar | /seʁtifiˈkaɾ/ |
| Japanese | 確認する | /kakunin suru/ |
| Korean | 확인하다 | /hwaginhada/ |
| Bengali | নিশ্চিত করা | /niʃʈʰit kɔɾa/ |
| Turkish | Doğrulamak | /doˈɾulamaɯk/ |
| Swedish | Bekräfta | /beˈkrɛfta/ |
| Greek | Επαληθεύω | /epaliˈθevo/ |
| Dutch | Vaststellen | /ˈvɑstˌstɛlən/ |
| Polish | Ustalić | /usˈtalit͡ɕ/ |
| Persian | اطمینان دادن | /etmīnān dādan/ |
| Thai | ตรวจสอบ | /trùat sòp/ |
| Vietnamese | Xác nhận | /sák nɨn/ |
Regional Pronunciation Variations
- In British English, "ascertain" is often pronounced with a slightly clearer emphasis on the second syllable.
- In American English, the vowel in the first syllable is usually pronounced as a schwa (/ə/).
Historical Usage
The word "ascertain" has been used since the late 15th century, first appearing in Middle English as "ascertainen." Its meaning has remained relatively consistent over time, focusing on making something certain or verifying facts. It gained widespread use in legal and scientific contexts during the 17th and 18th centuries.
Cultural Nuances
In legal, scientific, and journalistic contexts, the term "ascertain" implies a rigorous process of validation, often involving research and confirmation from multiple sources. The term reflects the value placed on accuracy and truthfulness in these fields.
More Information
To ascertain something is often to engage in a process of careful investigation or study. It is commonly used in academic, scientific, and professional contexts where facts or truths need to be confirmed before making important decisions or publishing information. The word conveys a sense of precision and reliability in gathering knowledge.