Definition of investigate
Etymology
Recorded since circa 1510, a back-formation from investigation, from Latin investigatio "a searching into", from investigatus, the past participle of investigare, itself from in- "in(to)" + vestigare "to track, trace" (from vestigium "footprint, track", of unknown origin)
Pronunciation
Verb
investigate (third-person singular simple present investigates, present participle investigating, simple past and past participle investigated)
- (transitive) To inquire into or study in order to ascertain facts or information.
- (transitive) To examine, look into, or scrutinize in order to discover something hidden or secret.
- (intransitive) To conduct an inquiry or examination.
* 1903, Jack London, "The Shadow and the Flash,"
"Why don't you investigate?" he demanded. And investigate I did.
References:
- Wiktionary. Published under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
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