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Webster 1913 Edition


Investigate

In-ves′ti-gate

,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Investigated
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Investigating
.]
[L.
investigatus
, p. p. of
investigare
to investigate; pref.
in-
in +
vestigare
to track, trace. See
Vestige
.]
To follow up step by step by patient inquiry or observation; to trace or track mentally; to search into; to inquire and examine into with care and accuracy; to find out by careful inquisition;
as, to
investigate
the causes of natural phenomena
.

In-ves′ti-gate

,
Verb.
I.
To pursue a course of investigation and study; to make investigation.

Webster 1828 Edition


Investigate

INVEST'IGATE

,
Verb.
T.
[L. investigo; in and vestigo, to follow a track, to search; vestigium, a track or footstep.]
To search into; to inquire and examine into with care and accuracy; to find out by careful disquisition; as, to investigate the powers and forces of nature; to investigate the causes of natural phenomena; to investigate the principles of moral duty; to investigate the conduct of an agent or the motives of a prince.

Definition 2024


investigate

investigate

English

Verb

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

Related terms

Translations


Italian

Verb

investigate

  1. second-person plural present indicative of investigare
  2. second-person plural imperative of investigare
  3. feminine plural of investigato

Latin

Verb

investīgāte

  1. second-person plural present active imperative of investīgō