ascertainment
|as-cer-tain-ment|
/ˌæsəˈteɪnmənt/
making certain; finding out
Etymology
'ascertainment' originates from English, formed from the verb 'ascertain' + the noun-forming suffix '-ment'. 'Ascertain' itself comes from Anglo-French/Old French 'acerter' or 'ascertener', ultimately from Latin 'certus', where 'cert-' meant 'sure' or 'fixed'.
'ascertain' changed from Old French 'acerter'/'ascertener' into Middle English as 'acertain' or 'ascertain', and the Modern English noun 'ascertainment' was later formed by adding the suffix '-ment' to the verb.
Initially it meant 'to make certain' or 'to render sure', but over time it evolved toward 'to find out' or 'to determine'; the noun came to mean 'the act of finding out' or the 'established fact'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the act or process of finding out or learning something with certainty; determination or discovery of a fact.
The ascertainment of the cause of the failure required several tests.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Noun 2
a formal or official determination of facts (often used in legal, administrative, or scientific contexts).
The ascertainment of income for tax purposes was completed by the auditors.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/26 08:10