Ascertained bit by bit

GLEANED

Think of how a farmer might collect leftover grain after harvest—this word describes gathering information in a similar, gradual way.

"Ascertained bit by bit" hints at discovering something gradually, which is exactly what "gleaned" means—it describes gathering information or insights piece by piece. The wordplay leans on the literal sense of "gleaning," like collecting leftover grain, but here it’s used figuratively for uncovering facts slowly. Think of it as piecing together clues or details over time rather than all at once.