All 8 Uses of
ascertain
in
David Copperfield
- I waited, in the utmost impatience, until my mother came home from Mrs. Grayper's (for it was that identical neighbour), to ascertain if we could get leave to carry out this great idea.†
Chpt 1-3
- I never knew my mother afterwards to give an opinion on any matter, without first appealing to Miss Murdstone, or without having first ascertained by some sure means, what Miss Murdstone's opinion was; and I never saw Miss Murdstone, when out of temper (she was infirm that way), move her hand towards her bag as if she were going to take out the keys and offer to resign them to my mother, without seeing that my mother was in a terrible fright.†
Chpt 4-6
- Looking out to ascertain for what, I saw, to MY amazement, Peggotty burst from a hedge and climb into the cart.†
Chpt 4-6 *
- Mr. Omer, with a very complacent and amiable face, took several puffs in silence; and then said, resuming his first point: 'Accordingly we're obleeged, in ascertaining how Barkis goes on, to limit ourselves to Em'ly.†
Chpt 28-30
- …of all persons leaving effects within the immense province of Canterbury, for three whole centuries, should be an accidental building, never designed for the purpose, leased by the registrars for their Own private emolument, unsafe, not even ascertained to be fire-proof, choked with the important documents it held, and positively, from the roof to the basement, a mercenary speculation of the registrars, who took great fees from the public, and crammed the public's wills away anyhow and…†
Chpt 31-33
- I tried to ascertain whether Mr. Dick had any understanding of the causes of this sudden and great change in my aunt's affairs.†
Chpt 34-36
- She ascertained from me in a few words what it was all about, comforted Dora, and gradually convinced her that I was not a labourer — from my manner of stating the case I believe Dora concluded that I was a navigator, and went balancing myself up and down a plank all day with a wheelbarrow — and so brought us together in peace.†
Chpt 37-39
- He got up to ascertain if the door were close shut, before he replied, in a lower voice: 'My dear Copperfield, a man who labours under the pressure of pecuniary embarrassments, is, with the generality of people, at a disadvantage.†
Chpt 37-39
Definition:
-
(ascertain) find out, learn, or determine with certainty (usually by making an effort)