scrutiny

scrutiny (ˈskruːtɪnɪ)

—n , pl -nies
1.	close or minute examination
2.	a searching look
3.	a. (in the early Christian Church) a formal testing that catechumens had to undergo before being baptized
	b. a similar examination of candidates for holy orders

[C15: from Late Latin scrūtinium an investigation, from scrūtārī to search (originally referring to rag-and-bone men), from scrūta rubbish]

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source

Etymonline

Word Origin & History

scrutiny

early 15c., "a vote to choose someone to decide a question," from L.L. scrutinium "a search, inquiry," from L. scrutari "to examine, search" (as through trash), from scruta (pl.) "trash, rags" (see shred). Meaning "close examination" first recorded c.1600.

Example sentences

Many cases, when subjected to close scrutiny, prove not to have been remissions

at all.

Only close scrutiny by investors can provide the kinds of discipline needed to

ensure the bank's long-term success.

Recently the dog sled sport and tourism activity has been under a lot of

scrutiny.

What's more, this line of thinking goes, such scrutiny and public shaming could

have a chilling effect on experimental science.

Remove ads like these. Upgrade now!

fishbowl inquiry investigation narrow read research

Matching Quote

"Everyone has taste, yet it is more of a taboo subject than sex or money. The reason for this is simple: claims about your attitudes to or achievements in the carnal and financial arenas can be disputed only by your lover and your financial advisers, whereas by making statements about your taste you expose body and soul to terrible scrutiny. Taste is a merciless betrayer of social and cultural attitudes. Thus, while anybody will tell you as much (and perhaps more than) you want to know about their triumphs in bed and at the bank, it is taste that gets people's nerves tingling."

-Stephen Bayley