Dictionary
as•cer•tain
Pronunciation: (as"ur-tān'), [key]—
v.t.
1. to find out definitely; learn with certainty or assurance; determine:
to ascertain the facts.
2. Archaic.to make certain, clear, or definitely known.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.