detective Hear it!

detective definition

de·tec·tive (dē tek′tiv, di-)

adjective

  1. of or for detection
  2. of detectives and their work

noun

  1. Etymology: short for detective policeman

    a person on a police force, whose work is investigating and trying to solve crimes

  2. Etymology: 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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