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investigate
The definition of investigate is to look into something or someone in order to try to discover the truth or to piece together a sequence of events.
(verb)- An example of investigate is when you run a background check on someone to find out what kind of person he is.
- An example of investigate is when the police try to solve a crime.
- An example of investigate is when you check the source of material to determine its truth.
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See investigate in Webster's New World College Dictionary
transitive verb investigated, investigating
to search into so as to learn the facts; inquire into systematically
Origin: < L investigatus, pp. of investigare, to trace out < in-, in + vestigare, to track < vestigium, a track
intransitive verb
to make an investigation
Related Forms:
- investigable adjective
See investigate in American Heritage Dictionary 4
verb in·ves·ti·gat·ed, in·ves·ti·gat·ing, in·ves·ti·gates verb, transitive
To observe or inquire into in detail; examine systematically.
verb, intransitive To make a detailed inquiry or systematic examination.
Origin:
Origin: Latin investīgāre, investīgāt-
Origin: : in-, in; see in-2
Origin: + vestīgāre, to track (from vestīgium, footprint)
.Related Forms:
- in·vesˈti·ga·ble (-gə-bəl) adjective
- in·vesˈti·ga·toˌry (-gə-tôrˌē, -tōrˌē) adjective
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