ascertain
     v 1: after a calculation, investigation, experiment, survey, or
          study; "find the product of two numbers"; "The physicist
          who found the elusive particle won the Nobel Prize"
          [syn: {determine}, {find}, {find out}]
     2: be careful or certain to do something; make certain of
        something; "He verified that the valves were closed"; "See
        that the curtains are closed"; "control the quality of the
        product" [syn: {see}, {check}, {insure}, {see to it}, {ensure},
         {control}, {assure}]
     3: find out, learn, or determine with certainty, usually by
        making an inquiry or other effort; "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" [syn: {determine}, {check}, {find out}, {see}, {watch},
         {learn}]
     4: learn or discover with certainty
Source: WordNet® 2.0