inspect

[ in-spekt ]
See synonyms for inspect on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object)
  1. to look carefully at or over; view closely and critically: to inspect every part of the motor.

  2. to view or examine formally or officially: The general inspected the troops.

Origin of inspect

1
First recorded in 1615–25; from Latin inspectus “looked into,” past participle of inspicere “to look into,” from in in-2 + -spicere, combining form of specere “to look, regard, see”

Other words for inspect

Other words from inspect

  • in·spect·a·ble, adjective
  • in·spect·a·bil·i·ty, noun
  • in·spect·ing·ly, adverb
  • pre·in·spect, verb (used with object)
  • qua·si-in·spect·ed, adjective
  • re·in·spect, verb (used with object)
  • self-in·spect·ed, adjective
  • un·in·spect·ed, adjective
  • well-in·spect·ed, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use inspect in a sentence

  • Miss Thangue sat forward with the frank curiosity of the Englishwoman when inspecting a foreign specimen.

    Ancestors | Gertrude Atherton
  • She walked all through the house, from one room to another, as if inspecting it for the first time.

  • After a dusty walk round piers and beaches lunched with Hunter-Weston before inspecting the 155th and 156th Brigades.

  • Running upstairs she opened the door of a large chamber, and stood for a moment inspecting it.

    The Cromptons | Mary J. Holmes
  • After duly inspecting everything, we set off on our road home, and reached there in safety.

British Dictionary definitions for inspect

inspect

/ (ɪnˈspɛkt) /


verb(tr)
  1. to examine closely, esp for faults or errors

  2. to scrutinize officially (a document, military personnel on ceremonial parade, etc)

Origin of inspect

1
C17: from Latin inspicere, from specere to look

Derived forms of inspect

  • inspectable, adjective
  • inspectingly, adverb
  • inspection, noun
  • inspectional, adjective
  • inspective, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012