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detect

 - 3 dictionary results

de⋅tect

  [di-tekt]
Use detect in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to discover or catch (a person) in the performance of some act: to detect someone cheating.
2. to discover the existence of: to detect the odor of gas.
3. to find out the true character or activity of: to detect a spy.
4. Telecommunications.
a. to rectify alternating signal currents in a radio receiver.
b. to demodulate.
Origin:
1400–50; late ME < L dētēctus (ptp. of dētegere), equiv. to dē- de- + teg(ere) to cover + -tus ptp. suffix

Related forms:
de⋅tect⋅a⋅ble, de⋅tect⋅i⋅ble, adjective
de⋅tect⋅a⋅bil⋅i⋅ty, de⋅tect⋅i⋅bil⋅i⋅ty, noun

Synonyms:
2. See learn.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To detect
de·tect   (dĭ-těkt')   
tr.v.   de·tect·ed, de·tect·ing, de·tects

  1. To discover or ascertain the existence, presence, or fact of.

  2. To discern (something hidden or subtle): detected a note of sarcasm in the remark.

  3. To learn something hidden and often improper about: detected the manager in a lie.

  4. Electronics To demodulate.


[Middle English detecten, from Latin dētegere, dētēct-, to uncover : dē-, de- + tegere, to cover; see (s)teg- in Indo-European roots.]
de·tect'a·ble, de·tect'i·ble adj., de·tect'er n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

detect 
1447, from L. detectus, pp. of detegere "uncover, disclose," from de- "un-, off" + tegere "to cover" (see stegosaurus). Detective (n.) is 1850, short for detective police.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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