Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary

as|cer|tain /æ sə ^r te I n/ (ascertains , ascertaining , ascertained ) VERB If you ascertain the truth about something, you find out what it is, especially by making a deliberate effort to do so. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] It is always vital to ascertain the cause of a continual headache. □ [V that] Once they had ascertained that he was not a spy, they agreed to release him. □ [V wh] Take time to ascertain what services your bank is providing, and at what cost.

as|cet|ic /əse t I k/ (ascetics ) ADJ [usu ADJ n] An ascetic person has a way of life that is simple and strict, usually because of their religious beliefs. ● N‑COUNT An ascetic is someone who is ascetic.

as|ceti|cism /əse t I s I zəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Asceticism is a simple, strict way of life with no luxuries or physical pleasures.

ascor|bic acid /æskɔː ^r b I k æ s I d/ N‑UNCOUNT Ascorbic acid is another name for vitamin C. [TECHNICAL ]

as|cribe /əskra I b/ (ascribes , ascribing , ascribed )

1 VERB If you ascribe an event or condition to a particular cause, you say or consider that it was caused by that thing. [FORMAL ] □ [V n + to ] An autopsy eventually ascribed the baby's death to sudden infant death syndrome.

2 VERB If you ascribe a quality to someone, you consider that they possess it. [FORMAL ] □ [V n + to ] We do not ascribe a superior wisdom to government or the state.

3 VERB If you ascribe something such as a quotation or a work of art to someone, you say that they said it or created it. [FORMAL ] □ [V n + to ] He mistakenly ascribes the expression 'survival of the fittest' to Charles Darwin.

asexu|al /e I se kʃuəl/

1 ADJ Something that is asexual involves no sexual activity. □  Their relationship was totally asexual. □  …asexual reproduction. ●  asexu|al|ly ADV [usu ADV with v, oft ADV adj] □  Many fungi can reproduce asexually.

2 ADJ Asexual creatures and plants have no sexual organs. □  …asexual parasites.

3 ADJ Someone who is asexual is not sexually attracted to other people. □  It is another unfortunate myth of our culture that older people are asexual.

ash /æ ʃ/ (ashes )

1 N‑UNCOUNT Ash is the grey or black powdery substance that is left after something is burnt. You can also refer to this substance as ashes . □  A cloud of volcanic ash is spreading across wide areas of the Philippines. □  He brushed the cigarette ash from his sleeve.

2 N‑PLURAL [usu poss N ] A dead person's ashes are their remains after their body has been cremated.

3 N‑VAR An ash is a tree that has smooth grey bark and loses its leaves in winter. ● N‑UNCOUNT Ash is the wood from this tree. □  The rafters are made from ash.

ashamed /əʃe I md/

1 ADJ [v-link ADJ , ADJ that] If someone is ashamed , they feel embarrassed or guilty because of something they do or they have done, or because of their appearance. □ [+ of ] I felt incredibly ashamed of myself for getting so angry. □  She was ashamed that she looked so shabby. [Also + about ]

2 ADJ If you are ashamed of someone, you feel embarrassed to be connected with them, often because of their appearance or because you disapprove of something they have done. □ [+ of ] I've never told this to anyone, but it's true, I was terribly ashamed of my mum.

3 ADJ If someone is ashamed to do something, they do not want to do it because they feel embarrassed about it. □  Women are often ashamed to admit they are being abused.

ash|en /æ ʃ ^ə n/ ADJ Someone who is ashen looks very pale, especially because they are ill, shocked, or frightened.

a shen-fa ced ADJ Someone who is ashen-faced looks very pale, especially because they are ill, shocked, or frightened. □  The survivors were ashen-faced and visibly shaken.