investigate definition | Dictionary.com

in⋅ves⋅ti⋅gate

[in-ves-ti-geyt]

verb, -gat⋅ed, -gat⋅ing.

–verb (used with object)

1.	to examine, study, or inquire into systematically; search or examine into the particulars of; examine in detail.

2.	to search out and examine the particulars of in an attempt to learn the facts about something hidden, unique, or complex, esp. in an attempt to find a motive, cause, or culprit: The police are investigating the murder.

–verb (used without object)

3.	to make inquiry, examination, or investigation.

Origin:
1500–10; < L investīgātus, ptp. of investīgāre to follow a trail, search out. See in- ² , vestige, -ate ¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
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Language Translation for : investigate

Spanish:

investigar,

German:

untersuchen,

Japanese:

取り調べる

View 30 other languages »

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in·ves·ti·gate   (ĭn-věs'tĭ-gāt') Pronunciation Key
v.   in·ves·ti·gat·ed, in·ves·ti·gat·ing, in·ves·ti·gates

v.   tr.
To observe or inquire into in detail; examine systematically.

v.   intr.
To make a detailed inquiry or systematic examination.

[Latin investīgāre, investīgāt- : in-, in; see in-² + vestīgāre, to track (from vestīgium, footprint).]

in·ves'ti·ga·ble (-gə-bəl) adj., in·ves'ti·ga·to'ry (-gə-tôr'ē, -tōr'ē) adj.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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investigate
verb
1.	investigate scientifically; "Let's investigate the syntax of Chinese"
2.	conduct an inquiry or investigation of; "The district attorney's office investigated reports of possible irregularities"; "inquire into the disappearance of the rich old lady"

WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
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Investigate

In*ves"ti*ga*ble\, a. [L. investigabilis. See Investigate.] Capable or susceptible of being investigated; admitting research. --Hooker.

Investigate

In*ves"ti*gate\, v. 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.