Emily Dickinson Lexicon

ascertain (-ed), v. [see certain, adj.] (webplay: ascertain a majority in the House, certainty, fact, know, majority, mind, truth).

1. Witness; verify; certify; see firsthand; personally experience; gain direct knowledge of.
2. Understand; comprehend; discern; discover; read.
3. Define; examine; measure.
4. Examine; explore; scrutinize; investigate; inspect.
5. Perceive; realize; recognize.