investigate

English

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

IPA: /ɪnˈves.tɪ.ɡeɪt/, X-SAMPA: /In"vEs.tI.gEIt/
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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.
to investigate the causes of natural phenomena
(transitive) To examine, look into, or scrutinize in order to discover something hidden or secret.
to investigate an unsolved murder
(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.

Related terms

Terms related to "investigate"

Translations

to inquire into, study

Catalan: investigar (ca)
Czech: zkoumat (cs)
Dutch: onderzoeken (nl), bekijken (nl), bestuderen (nl)
French: étudier (fr)
German: untersuchen (de), erforschen (de), recherchieren (de)
Italian: investigare (it)

Japanese: 調べる (しらべる, shiraberu), 調査する (ちょうさする, chōsasuru)
Polish: prowadzić dochodzenie
Scottish Gaelic: rannsaich (gd)
Swahili: ukale (sw), chunguza (sw)
Telugu: పరిశీలించు (te) (pariSeelinchu)

to examine

Catalan: investigar (ca)
Czech: pátrat (cs)
Dutch: onderzoeken, een onderzoek instellen, uitzoeken
German: untersuchen (de)
Italian: investigare (it)
Japanese: 調べる (しらべる, shiraberu), 検査する (けんさする, kensasuru)

Polish: badać (pl)
Scottish Gaelic: rannsaich (gd)
Spanish: examinar (es)
Swahili: ukale (sw), chunguza (sw)
Telugu: పరిశీలించు (te) (pariSeelinchu)

to conduct an inquiry or examination

Catalan: investigar (ca)
Czech: vyšetřovat (cs)
Dutch: een onderzoek voeren

Italian: investigare (it)
Scottish Gaelic: rannsaich (gd)
Swahili: ukale (sw), chunguza (sw)

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