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Webster's New World College Dictionary » detective
detective
detective definition
de·tec·tive (dē tek′tiv, di-)
adjective
- of or for detection
- of detectives and their work
noun
Etymology: short for detective policeman
a person on a police force, whose work is investigating and trying to solve crimesEtymology: short for private detective
a person working privately to investigate crimes, gather information, etc.
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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