Wiktionary

investigate

English

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Etymology

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Recorded since circa 1510, a back-formation from investigation, from Latin investīgātiō (“a searching into”), from investīgātus, the past participle of investigare, equivalent to in- +‎ vestigate. Displaced native Old English undersēċan (literally “to search under or between”).

Pronunciation

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  • IPA(key): [ɪn.ˈvɛs.tɪ.ɡeɪ̯t]
  • Audio (US):(file)

Verb

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investigate (third-person singular simple present investigates, present participle investigating, simple past and past participle investigated)

  1. (transitive) To inquire into or study in order to ascertain facts or information.
    to investigate the causes of natural phenomena
  2. (transitive) To examine, look into, or scrutinize in order to discover something hidden or secret.
    to investigate an unsolved murder
  3. (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.

Synonyms

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Translations

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The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout § Translations.

Further reading

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Italian

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Etymology 1

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Verb

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investigate

  1. inflection of investigare:
    1. second-person plural present indicative
    2. second-person plural imperative

Etymology 2

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Participle

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investigate f pl

  1. feminine plural of investigato

Latin

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Verb

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investīgāte

  1. second-person plural present active imperative of investīgō

Spanish

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Verb

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investigate

  1. second-person singular voseo imperative of investigar combined with te
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