ascertain
[,æsә'tein]
vt. 确,

[] , 弄清, 确

1. The detective was trying to ascertain exactly who was at the party.
   侦探试图都谁聚。
2. I ascertain that he was murdered.
   确被谋杀。
3. As soon as the purchase is made, and the price ascertain, I will inform you at what they will be invoiced.
   何货，价，将即通贵司，什价。

ascertain
[ verb ]

1. establish after a calculation, investigation, experiment, survey, or study

<verb.communication> determine find find out
find the product of two numbers
The physicist who found the elusive particle won the Nobel Prize

2. be careful or certain to do something; make certain of something

<verb.cognition> assure check control ensure insure see see to it
He verified that the valves were closed
See that the curtains are closed
control the quality of the product

3. find out, learn, or determine with certainty, usually by making an inquiry or other effort

<verb.communication> check determine find out learn see watch
I want to see whether she speaks French
See whether it works
find out if he speaks Russian
Check whether the train leaves on time

4. learn or discover with certainty

<verb.cognition>

Ascertain \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.