English Explanatory Dictionary

investigate

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To inquire into or study in order to ascertain facts or information.
  2. To examine, look into, or scrutinize in order to discover something hidden or secret.
  3. To conduct an inquiry or examination.

Pronunciation

/ɪnˈvɛs.tə.ɡeɪt/ [ɪnˈvɛs.tɪ.ɡeɪ̯t] [ɪnˈvɛs.tə.ɡeɪ̯ʔ] En-us-investigate.ogg LL-Q1860 (eng)-Zazollo-investigate.wav

Word forms

investigate investigates investigating investigated

Etymology

Recorded since circa 1510, a back-formation from investigation on the basis of -ate (verb-forming suffix), from Latin investīgātiō (“a searching into”), from investīgātus, the perfect passive participle of investīgō, equivalent to in- + vestigate. Displaced native Old English undersēċan (literally “to search under or between”).

Synonyms

underseek

Related words

investigability investigable investigation investigational investigative investigator investigatory

Derived words

coinvestigate investigatable investigatingly noninvestigated reinvestigate transvestigate underinvestigated uninvestigated uninvestigating
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