different between decipher vs ascertain

English

Alternative forms

• decypher

Etymology

As decypher, but not retaining the y from the Old French etyma of cipher (cyfre, cyffre); the i spelling tends to be preferred etymologically, being consistent with its cognates, the French déchiffrer and the Italian decifrare, and with their common ancestor, the Medieval Latin cifra, cifera, ciphra.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /d??sa?f?(?)/
• Rhymes: -a?f?(r)

Verb

decipher (third-person singular simple present deciphers, present participle deciphering, simple past and past participle deciphered)

1. (transitive) To decode or decrypt a code or cipher to plain text.
2. (transitive) To read text that is almost illegible or obscure.
3. (transitive) To find a solution to a problem.

Derived terms

Related terms

• decrypt

Translations

Noun

decipher (plural deciphers)

1. A decipherment; a decoding.
   • 1837, Arthur Wellesley Duke of Wellington, John Gurwood, The Dispatches of Field Marshall the Duke of Wellington, K.G.

     I enclose a letter which I received yesterday evening from the Marques de Monsalud, containing the decipher of a letter from the King to the Comte d'Erlon. I wish that the Marques had sent the ciphered letter here […]

Anagrams

• ciphered

English

Etymology

From Middle English acerteynen, from Old French acertener, from a- (“to, towards”) + certener (“make sure of”), from the adjective certain, from Latin certus (“certain, fixed”). Compare to Spanish acertar.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /?æs??te?n/
• (US) enPR: ?s'-?r-t?n?, IPA^(key): /?æs??te?n/
• Rhymes: -e?n
• Hyphenation: as?cer?tain

Verb

ascertain (third-person singular simple present ascertains, present participle ascertaining, simple past and past participle ascertained)

1. To find out definitely; to discover or establish.

   Synonyms: determine, discover, establish, find out, learn, work out
2. (obsolete) To make (someone) certain or confident about something; to inform.
3. (archaic) To establish, to prove.
4. (archaic) To ensure or effect.

Derived terms

• ascertainable
• ascertainedly
• ascertainment

Translations

Anagrams

• Cartesian, arsacetin, cartesian, craniates, intracase, sectarian