ascertained

Ascertained is the past participle of ascertain and, when used as an adjective, denotes something that has been found out or established with certainty. It describes facts, figures, or findings that have been verified through investigation, measurement, or calculation. The term can also appear in phrases such as an ascertainment, referring to the act of determining or the result of that determination.

Etymology and related forms: The word derives from the verb ascertain, which ultimately traces to Latin certus meaning certain, via Old French and Middle English developments. The sense emphasizes confirmation or verification rather than mere suspicion.

Usage and nuances: In legal, administrative, or formal writing, ascertained facts or debts are those that have been established by evidence, documentation, or official determination. In research, data or parameters described as ascertained have undergone a process of verification or identification. The opposite concepts include unascertained or ascertainable: the former indicates a lack of confirmed facts, while the latter means capable of being determined but not yet confirmed. Ascertainment can occur through audits, inspections, surveys, or calculations, depending on the domain.

Examples: The ascertained facts of the case supported the judgment. The insurer adjusted the claim once the damage was ascertained. The researchers reported two ascertained variables that significantly impacted the model. Ascertainment remains a key step in ensuring accuracy and reliability across fields.