dynamic
toggle menu
menu
vocabulary
1000+ books

ascertain
in a sentence

show 189 more with this conextual meaning
  • This is a beloved errand for him; on being called here to ascertain witchcraft he felt the pride of the specialist whose unique knowledge has at last been publicly called for.†   (source)
  • But, as the reader of this will have ascertained (if there ever is a reader) the idea of being Dragged Down holds no terror for me.†   (source)
  • It would be difficult to ascertain which branch the Ra'zac had taken.†   (source)
  • After much questioning, I had ascertained that they had killed Tuk to make him die and that he had died because he had been killed.†   (source)
  • The nurse, police later ascertained, had been stealing checks out of Mrs. Nedermier's checkbook and forging her signature.†   (source)
  • De Moya regretted these insults to the virgin dignity of our Benefactor and expressed the openness of our government to any and all investigations from member nations who wish to ascertain the falsity of these malicious charges.†   (source)
  • She appears to act in the household as a sort of unpaid servant, though whether this service is viewed by her as a favour or a penance, I have yet to ascertain; nor will it be an easy task, as the gentle Grace, having been hardened in the fire now for some fifteen years, will be a very hard nut to crack.†   (source)
  • Dr. Remile suddenly ascertained that I was due some government benefits, being the child of a veteran.†   (source)
  • "I have not been able to ascertain the supposed racial origin of all eighteen lines," Gartler told the audience.†   (source)
  • I concentrated on my hand, trying to stretch out my fingers, to ascertain where the broken parts were.†   (source)
  • I will contact Moscow at once to ascertain the facts.†   (source)
  • They shot anyone they caught stealing, because while the faithful crowded into the churches begging forgiveness for their sins and beseeching God to stay his fury, thieves were running through the ruins slicing off ears with earrings and fingers with rings, not stopping to ascertain whether the victims were dead or only trapped in the cave-in.†   (source)
  • He felt he owed it to himself to stay in the area long enough to make at least one more visit to Little Miss Highpockets ...when it could be ascertained that Handsome Hubby was definitely not around, of course.†   (source)
  • He quickly ascertained that this was not the case in either style or content.†   (source)
  • She was unable, after prolonged and insidious interrogations, to ascertain the causes of Amaranta's prostration.†   (source)
  • Not married, not engaged, and with no attachments that she could ascertain.†   (source)
  • Mr Lewis, so far as I could ascertain, had already retired.†   (source)
  • She's a very healthy woman so far as it's within my ability to ascertain such things, being subject as I am to the same human failings as the next fellow.†   (source)
  • The outstations in Kunar and across Afghanistan were intelligence depots for the surrounding areas, with operators ascertaining the viability of targets in their sectors, to judge if a certain reportedly "bad guy" really was a bad guy, and if so, how bad.†   (source)
  • Dad sits in his car a good long while, no doubt ascertaining his safety.†   (source)
  • He looked up as if to ascertain that the arrangement of the stars was auspicious.†   (source)
  • As if he wished to ascertain that the person addressing him was actually a creature of flesh and bone, a human being with a body and a belly.†   (source)
  • Here the door was partly open; she opened it somewhat more-enough to ascertain that the office was filled only with shadow-but she did not think the Clutters would appreciate her "barging right in."†   (source)
  • It was hard to ascertain what had gone on.†   (source)
  • Eager to share his knowledge on any subject, he neglected to ascertain the interest of his listener or, in my case, reader.†   (source)
  • I can't see the difference, but since I've already ascertained that it's a bad idea to argue with August, I oblige.†   (source)
  • Nor can I ascertain our loss.†   (source)
  • The eight ridiculous Dresdeners ascertained that these hundred ridiculous creatures really were American fighting men fresh from the front.†   (source)
  • Even with all the lunches during which I'd studied him, and all the details I'd thereby managed to ascertain, there was still one unknown, and this was it: Owen's music.†   (source)
  • Days—according again to what I can ascertain—little happens.†   (source)
  • It is impossible to ascertain why.†   (source)
  • Around them members of all the races ran about, trying to ascertain what had happened.†   (source)
  • When he had ascertained I was not by any means of a Puritan bent, he shared with me some tales of the bawdiness and carousing he had witnessed in the city after the king sailed home from exile.†   (source)
  • We identified the weapon, ascertained the time of death.†   (source)
  • For the first time since I'd been in Pakistan, I began to meet military auditors in remote mountain villages who were there to ascertain if schools and clinics that the government had paid for actually existed.†   (source)
  • But what we ought to aim at is less the ascertainment of resemblances and differences than the recognition of likenesses hidden under apparent divergences.†   (source)
  • Should an attorney with whom the Valois has had numerous dealings call me requesting that I prepare, say, a number of cashiers checks drawn upon a foreign transfer he has ascertained to have been cleared, I would do so.†   (source)
  • To ascertain that they are well formed and, ah .†   (source)
  • In essence, Your Honor, these men are being held captives so that we may ascertain if they are free.†   (source)
  • There was the eye for detail to ascertain which minutiae were askew, what oddity or normality was out of place.†   (source)
  • Even though she was perfectly proportioned, she was short, and sometimes she jumped to reach things, but only after ascertaining that no one would see.†   (source)
  • Presently the charges are hard to ascertain.†   (source)
  • Both skilled trackers, the ranger and barbarian had little difficulty in ascertaining that a battle had recently been fought on this spot.†   (source)
  • During the night, Pueblo County fire and police officials had quickly ascertained that there were no survivors.†   (source)
  • But no; they ascertained that the smell was coming from their clothes.†   (source)
  • Dunwoody began to question her, and before long he was able to ascertain that Mrs. Barlowe was involved in something dicey and was attempting to manipulate a situation that could very well blow up in her face.†   (source)
  • Yet they are considered as more or less obscure and equivocal until their meaning is ascertained by a series of discussions and adjudications.†   (source)
  • I want to ascertain if our concepts of honor are significantly different.†   (source)
  • Psychologically this was relatively easy for them, because Dwight had ascertained before the cruise commenced that none of the ship's company had had their homes in Honolulu or had any close ties with the Islands.†   (source)
  • You will, immediately upon reaching Churchill, proceed by chartered air transport in a suitable direction for the requisite distance and thereupon establish a Base at a point where it has been ascertained there is an adequate wolf population and where conditions generally are optimal to the furtherance of your operations.... Although these instructions were firm in tone, they were rather lacking in specific direction, and I suppose it was only natural that half the population of Churchill should have concluded I was a member of a high-grade gang o†   (source)
  • It was only when your letter to your brother was turned over to us by the local postmaster that we were able to ascertain your whereabouts.†   (source)
  • "Might it not be wise," asked Vishnu, "to ascertain the cause of this occurrence before proceeding?"†   (source)
  • He stood over his desk, his arms folded over his upper belly, his lips pursed judicially, and after a moment he began, formal, "As you know, I think, it is my unpleasant duty to ask you to answer a few questions this morning, for the purpose of ascertaining, so to speak, the whereabouts of any holdings which might be applied to the satisfaction of your present obligations to my client.†   (source)
  • I have already seen enough to ascertain that no amendments of my proposing will obtain in the Senate as now filled.†   (source)
  • The slaveholders have been known to send in spies among their slaves, to ascertain their views and feelings in regard to their condition.   (source)
  • Looking cautiously round, to ascertain that they were not overheard, the two hags cowered nearer to the fire, and chuckled heartily.   (source)
  • "Renesmee?" he asked uncertainly, trying to ascertain what I wanted most in this moment.†   (source)
  • Without knowing how far away the source was, it was impossible to ascertain its exact coordinates.†   (source)
  • I'd had no way of ascertaining the quarter's true purpose or powers.†   (source)
  • Only once he ascertained that the tea was free of contamination did he dare drink.†   (source)
  • She just looked blankly at me as if trying to ascertain why I might be worried.†   (source)
  • In the dim light I used the beam of my flashlight to ascertain that !†   (source)
  • He ascertained that there was no car in the driveway or in the garage.†   (source)
  • Indeed, there was an easy way to ascertain the distance of the transmission source.†   (source)
  • As I had ascertained back in Africa: the heir meant more to John than anything in this life.†   (source)
  • Your job is to ascertain the truth and bring the guilty parties to court.†   (source)
  • Caught offside, it took a moment for her to ascertain what her aunt meant by Like That.†   (source)
  • I asked to see you to ascertain upon what terms you would receive the surrender of my army.†   (source)
  • But I am not at all certain it will be possible to ascertain their whereabouts at this stage.†   (source)
  • The interior was more brightly lit than could be ascertained from without.†   (source)
  • Ascertaining new sources, paying off informants.†   (source)
  • Thus far the facts ascertained corroborated Wells' story most persuasively.†   (source)
  • "Jacob knows we're back, and I'm sure that he's ascertained that I'm with you," Edward said.†   (source)
  • If you are agents, you should doubtless have been able to ascertain that I am not one.†   (source)
  • It seems to go quite quickly at the end, so far as we can ascertain.†   (source)
  • Both Mr Weasley and Sirius were acting as though he'd misbehaved, and were saving their tellings-off until they could ascertain how much damage had been done.†   (source)
  • He was unable to ascertain what mechanism guided them, but they followed clearly defined paths from their nest to food and back.†   (source)
  • Although she converses in what seems a frank enough manner, she manages to tell me as little as possible, or as little as possible of what I want to learn; although I have managed to ascertain a good deal about her family situation as a child, and about her crossing of the Atlantic, as an emigrant; but none of it is very far out of the ordinary — only the usual poverty and hardships, etc. Those who believe in the hereditary nature of insanity might take some comfort in the fact that her father was an inebriate, and possibly an arsonist as well; but despite several theories to the contrary, I am far from being convinced that such tendencies are necessarily inherited.†   (source)
  • Then he skipped again to anticipate the predictions and ascertain the date and circumstances of his death.†   (source)
  • At this point, the other part of my attention had ascertained that there was no danger here besides myself, and I automatically straightened out of my crouch; almost a whole second had passed since I'd been on the table.†   (source)
  • But she was living in Malmö, and as far as I could ascertain, she had no motive for killing the girl.†   (source)
  • She brought her daughter to Bishop Strachan for an interview; the mother wanted to interview someone from the English Department—to ascertain, she told the headmistress, if we were guilty of a "parochial" approach to literature.†   (source)
  • In the company of Isabella Vanger, he had examined Harriet's room and tried to ascertain whether anything was missing: clothes, a suitcase, or the like, which would indicate that Harriet had run away from home.†   (source)
  • I managed to ascertain from them that Father Dur6 had died while trying to penetrate the flame forest.†   (source)
  • With his steps the house filled up with the fragrance of the toilet water that Ursula used to splash on him when he was a child in order to find him in the shadows, in some way impossible to ascertain, after so many years of absence.†   (source)
  • Lydia and my grandmother instinctively looked at me, perhaps to ascertain if I'd understood my mother correctly: that the time "before," when she'd had her "fling," which had led to me, was not a time when my mother had enjoyed any special feelings toward whoever my father was.†   (source)
  • The house seemed fine, but we knew he was hiding some dark secret, and we walked from room to room, trying to ascertain just what he had done wrong.†   (source)
  • The moment the Scoreboard changed, the Sixers had obviously used Fyndoro's Tablet of Finding to try to ascertain Art3mis's exact location.†   (source)
  • We tried to ascertain if Potter would know exactly how many beetleskins he had in his sock drawer—whether he would notice if we opened one of the foil wrappers and examined one of the beetleskins, which naturally, then, we could not put back; we would have to dispose of it.†   (source)
  • Lei and Yang's idea for eliminating interference was very simple: ascertain the frequency spectrum and characteristics of solar radiation in the monitored range, and then filter it out digitally.†   (source)
  • Having completely abandoned his domestic obligations, he spent entire nights in the courtyard watching the course of the stars and he almost contracted sunstroke from trying to establish an exact method to ascertain noon.†   (source)
  • Princeps, given the frequency of the transmission, even the direction of the source cannot be ascertained with great accuracy.†   (source)
  • Among the three channels, transmission at the higher-frequency 12,000 MHz and 22,000 MHz channels should be minimized to reduce the likelihood that the source of transmission may be precisely ascertained.†   (source)
  • I tried to climb in to ascertain if it really was the same place-one second on that bowed floor and I would know it for certain-but I could not get any farther than the opening.†   (source)
  • "Ascertain," Brian said.†   (source)
  • I only stayed long enough to ascertain that Jacob was fine and there was no news, and then I had to escape.†   (source)
  • My agents were unable to ascertain the clan of the warriors, but that any of this council should attempt to surreptitiously marshal their forces whilst we are engaged in a meet to decide who should succeed King Hrothgar suggests motives of the darkest kind.†   (source)
  • From the car they had ascertained by phone that the person in Stockholm whose name had been recently added to the contract for the apartment on Lundagatan was Miriam Wu, born in 1974 and previously living at St. Eriksplan.†   (source)
  • He went from one photographer to the next, rapidly ascertaining that the man could not be the killer, then looking again to see if postures were erect, faces cosmeticized.†   (source)
  • Sam stopped at one that offered maps, and looked over a hand-drawn map of Citadel to ascertain the shortest way to the Seneschal's Court.†   (source)
  • Ascertain that I'm telling you the truth and in the process make yourself so rich you can do anything you want to do for the rest of your life.†   (source)
  • Lord North, the Prime Minister, had delivered a conciliatory speech to Parliament; George III even recommended opening a channel of communication with "that insidious man" Franklin, with the result that a host of British agents began beating a path to Paris to ascertain what peace terms the Americans might consider.†   (source)
  • We keep our eyes trained on the motionless image, hoping to ascertain the position of this thing we cannot see.†   (source)
  • They got up, retrieved their fallen books and slid a little hangdog into their seats, watching Sister Edgar so they might ascertain how totally foolish they ought to feel.†   (source)
  • I barely paused to ascertain this.†   (source)
  • We'll be passed through quickly and Sheng will be able to check immigration and ascertain that I am who I say I am.†   (source)
  • Instead he made the rounds of the pyramid from top to bottom, to ascertain that the sentries were all at their posts.†   (source)
  • Jason ran across the road, his body low, and crouched by the hedgerow; he had only moments to peer through the bushes and ascertain the existence or nonexistence of the armory's security procedures.†   (source)
  • When we ascertained that all human voice was gone from the place, we sneaked ahead and rushed across a small clearing of mowed grass, making for the Carriage House's west entrance-its only entrance entirely screened from the rest of the house.†   (source)
  • All eyes turn as we come through the door, and I know every single pair must ascertain exactly what the problem is.†   (source)
  • She managed to ascertain that Bjurman might be visiting one of his closest neighbours, a businessman named Sjöman.†   (source)
  • One shared the queen's bed every night, to ascertain she had no other company; the other two slept in an adjoining chamber with the septa who looked over them.†   (source)
  • But then again, what is the purpose in endlessly speculating as to Miss Kenton's present wishes when I will be able to ascertain these from her own person tomorrow?†   (source)
  • She knew that there had to be a connection between Bjurman and Zalachenko, and she asked questions about Bjurman in an attempt to ascertain whether Svensson had come across his name.†   (source)
  • Their agreement was firm: Jason would follow and take by force whoever left first from any building; the old Deuxième veteran would follow whoever left second, ascertain his or her destination, but make no contact.†   (source)
  • After the surprise wore off, my heart would start to race and my palms would sweat; I couldn't really breathe again until I'd gotten up and ascertained that Charlie had survived as well.†   (source)
  • The major could not help himself; the proximity of the accident so close to his official vehicle forced him to move forward, obviously to ascertain whether or not his men were involved.†   (source)
  • Specifically, the court was asked to permit the state hospital in Larned, Kansas, a mental institution with maximum-security facilities, to take custody of the prisoners for the purpose of ascertaining whether either or both were "insane, imbeciles or idiots, unable to comprehend their position and aid in their defense."†   (source)
  • On inquiring further, I ascertained that the house had been a very small one in which he had been the only full-time employee.†   (source)
  • Once we ascertain who they are, we apply pressure, squeezing them in different ways, delivering the same basic message: A former Medusan has gone over the edge, a man who's been in protective custody for years is about to blow the head off Snake Lady and he's got the ammunition-names, crimes, the locations of secret Swiss accounts, the whole Caesar salad.†   (source)
  • We would emphasize that we cannot say unequivocally that she is the killer, but circumstances dictate that we question her immediately to ascertain what knowledge she may have about the murders in Enskede and at Odenplan.†   (source)
  • As for Mr and Mrs Taylor themselves, I have ascertained that they ran the village greengrocery here from the twenties until their retirement three years ago.†   (source)
  • I have ascertained from the young woman who served me lunch that the address where Miss Kenton is presently residing is some fifteen minutes' walk away, which implies I have at least another forty minutes to wait.†   (source)
  • As he filled the radiator, his head bent over the engine, he began to chat amiably, and on ascertaining that I was undertaking a motoring tour of the area, recommended I visit a local beauty spot, a certain pond not half a mile away.†   (source)
  • The conference being of a very high level, the participants had been limited to just eighteen very distinguished gentlemen and two ladies — a German countess and the formidable Mrs Eleanor Austin, at that time still resident in Berlin; but each of these might reasonably bring secretaries, valets and interpreters, and there proved no way of ascertaining the precise number of such persons to expect.†   (source)
  • Having ascertained that the first batch of scats was in a pliable condition, I donned the mask, placed a scat on a white enamel plate which I had borrowed from the cabin, and began dissecting it with forceps and scalpel.†   (source)
  • When the publishers of his Thirty Years' View sent a messenger to inquire as to how many copies he thought ought to be printed, he loftily replied: "Sir, they can ascertain from the last census how many families there are in the United States, sir"; and that was the only suggestion he would make.†   (source)
  • He meekly offered to wire his resignation to the Governor, enabling a new appointee to vote for conviction; and, when it was doubted whether a new Senator would be permitted to vote, he agreed to ascertain whether his own vote would be crucial.†   (source)
  • I will go to his room and ascertain how he is.†   (source)
  • They appraised me in their own minds, I saw, and were curious to ascertain what my full value was.†   (source)
  • 'I have now ascertained that it is public business,' returned the suitor, 'and I want to know'—and again repeated his monotonous inquiry.†   (source)
  • I wish to investigate his confused affairs so far as to ascertain whether it may not be possible, after this lapse of time, to ameliorate his unhappy condition.†   (source)
  • Mr Dorrit was not too proud and honourable to listen at the door that he might ascertain for himself whether John really went straight out, or lingered to have any talk with any one.†   (source)
  • A minute might have been consumed in the ascertaining of these points, when Miss Fanny, who, from her seat in the carriage, commanded the long narrow passage leading to the Lodge, flushed indignantly.†   (source)
  • 'If John Barnacle,' said Mrs Gowan, after the degeneracy of the times had been fully ascertained, 'if John Barnacle had but abandoned his most unfortunate idea of conciliating the mob, all would have been well, and I think the country would have been preserved.'†   (source)
  • By about eleven o'clock in the forenoon, something the matter with the brain, became the favourite theory against the field; and by twelve the something had been distinctly ascertained to be 'Pressure.'†   (source)
  • It is an ascertained fact.†   (source)
  • Mrs Merdle reviewed the bosom which Society was accustomed to review; and having ascertained that show-window of Mr Merdle's and the London jewellers' to be in good order, replied: 'As to marriage on the part of a man, my dear, Society requires that he should retrieve his fortunes by marriage.†   (source)
  • At Paris Mr Meagles found a letter from Little Dorrit, lying waiting for him; in which she mentioned that she had been able to talk for a minute or two with Mr Clennam about this man who was no more; and that when she told Mr Clennam that his friend Mr Meagles, who was on his way to see him, had an interest in ascertaining something about the man if he could, he had asked her to tell Mr Meagles that he had been known to Miss Wade, then living in such a street at Calais.†   (source)
  • He felt it his duty to remark (he was sure a gentleman of Mr Sparkler's fine sense would interpret him with all delicacy), that he could not consider this proposal definitely determined on, until he should have had the privilege of holding some correspondence with Mr Merdle; and of ascertaining it to be so far accordant with the views of that eminent gentleman as that his (Mr Dorrit's) daughter would be received on that footing which her station in life and her dowry and expectations warranted him in requiring that she should maintain in what he trusted he might be allowed, without the appearance of being mercenary, to call the Eye of the Great World.†   (source)
  • The laws of this state permit the hearing of evidence to ascertain the degree of responsibility.†   (source)
  • No one ever ascertained what pleasure they derived from this macabre game.†   (source)
  • Arbuthnot's name, age, home address and exact military standing were all ascertained.†   (source)
  • When the police rang up-at some time after eleven-it was ascertained that he had not returned.†   (source)
  • Rogers' room, as Philip Lombard had already ascertained, was untenanted.†   (source)
  • All that had to be done was to ascertain which!†   (source)
  • It was a trick to ascertain how much insurance there was.†   (source)
  • Perhaps the easiest way of making a town's acquaintance is to ascertain how the people in it work, how they love, and how they die.†   (source)
  • She said immediately, almost a little too immediately: "We make no effort to ascertain their parentage.†   (source)
  • Suppose that Harry tried to ascertain in any single moment of his life, any single act, what part the man had in it and what part the wolf, he would find himself at once in a dilemma, and his whole beautiful wolf-theory would go to pieces.†   (source)
  • Raven remained four days as guest of the inua in the belly of the whale, and during the entire period was trying to ascertain what kind of tube that could be, running along the ceiling.†   (source)
  • The methodical tabular mind-he made a list here one day, ticked off over the headings A.B.C.-and finally, the boyish mind-mentioned by Lady Clarke and even shown by his taste in fiction-I have ascertained that there is a book in the library called The Railway Children by E. Nesbit.†   (source)
  • And as regards the question of left-handedness, ought we not to take steps to ascertain which of the passengers is left-handed?†   (source)
  • He merely added that, to decide the point, we should need first to ascertain if a Genius of Plague actually existed, and our ignorance on this point nullified any opinions we might form.†   (source)
  • And by this ascertained standard, White Fang treated them accordingly.†   (source)
  • When he ascertained this he tried to save his horse, to check a little that killing gait.†   (source)
  • But I can easily ascertain it for you, if that's of some consequence to you.†   (source)
  • Carley searched her pockets for her goggles, only to ascertain that she had forgotten them.†   (source)
  • She congratulated Kennicott; carelessly ascertained from him the hour of marriage.†   (source)
  • Not the slightest clue remained to help him ascertain who had attacked him.†   (source)
  • As a matter of fact you needn't bother to ascertain.†   (source)
  • We had best ascertain if he is really there, or if by any possibility he might be in London.†   (source)
  • We have written to Christminster to ascertain.†   (source)
  • I was ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind.†   (source)
  • Go home!" the master commanded when he had ascertained his injury.†   (source)
  • Duane ascertained that Fairdale was situated two days' ride from Bradford toward the north.†   (source)
  • We know from the record that he was on the water, so what we have to do is to ascertain what water.†   (source)
  • But this could not be ascertained for sure until the brow of the slope was reached.†   (source)
  • The exigency of the moment was to ascertain if there were game in Surprise Valley.†   (source)
  • The attendant stooped over the bed, to ascertain; and nodded in the affirmative.†   (source)
  • Here I paused, to ascertain beyond a doubt whether he really knew of whom I thought.†   (source)
  • A whisper arose among the train, but by whom first suggested could not be ascertained.†   (source)
  • It was easy to ascertain this; but how could he risk the question?†   (source)
  • She felt a morbid desire to ascertain the point.†   (source)
  • I asked to see you to ascertain upon what terms you would receive the surrender of my army.†   (source)
  • "Yes, we came up that way," he said, after ascertaining his bearings.†   (source)
  • I have ascertained what I suspected—what I wished.†   (source)
  • You had better look about you, and ascertain what you do, and what you mean to do.†   (source)
  • The match-making aunt had ascertained and communicated their mutual impression.†   (source)
  • That is correct; I have ascertained it for myself.†   (source)
  • And yet, in general, nothing can be more easily ascertained.†   (source)
  • Adopting my son's idea, we speedily ascertained the distance across to be eighteen feet.†   (source)
  • Mind you, you are not to stir from this town until you ascertain how things go.†   (source)
  • He did not believe me, and sent to my friend's house to ascertain the facts.†   (source)
  • 'I will ascertain that myself without loss of time,' said Nicholas.†   (source)
  • Ah, my good Mr. Hovstad, don't talk nonsense about well-ascertained truths!†   (source)
  • Throw a lead-line overboard, and ascertain the drift!†   (source)
  • It was not difficult to ascertain the condition and character of one of these personages.†   (source)
  • Indeed, I should say it was ascertained beyond a doubt.†   (source)
▲ show less (of above)