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scrutiny - 6 dictionary results

scru⋅ti⋅ny

  [skroot-n-ee]
Use scrutiny in a Sentence
–noun, plural -nies.
1. a searching examination or investigation; minute inquiry.
2. surveillance; close and continuous watching or guarding.
3. a close and searching look.
Origin:
1400–50; late ME < L scrūtinium the action of searching, of scrutinizing, deriv. of scrūtārī to search

Synonyms:
1. See examination.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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scru·ti·ny   (skrōōt'n-ē)   
n.   pl. scru·ti·nies
  1. A close, careful examination or study.
  2. Close observation; surveillance.

[Middle English scrutinie, taking of a formal vote, from Latin scrūtinium, inquiry, search, from scrūtārī, to search, examine, from scrūta, trash.]
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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Scrutiny

Scru"ti*ny\, n. [L. scrutinium, fr. scrutari to search carefuly, originally, to search even to the rags, fr. scruta trash, trumpery; perhaps akin to E. shred: cf. AS. scrudnian to make scrutiny.]

1. Close examination; minute inspection; critical observation.

They that have designed exactness and deep scrutiny have taken some one part of nature. --Sir M. Hale.

Thenceforth I thought thee worth my nearer view And narrower scrutiny. --Milton.

2. (Anc. Church) An examination of catechumens, in the last week of Lent, who were to receive baptism on Easter Day.

3. (Canon Law) A ticket, or little paper billet, on which a vote is written.

4. (Parliamentary Practice) An examination by a committee of the votes given at an election, for the purpose of correcting the poll. --Brande & C.

Scrutiny

Scru"ti*ny\, v. t. To scrutinize. [Obs.]
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : scrutiny
Spanish: examen detallado, escrutinio, recuento,
German: prüfender Blick,
Japanese: せんさく
More Translations »

scrutiny 
1415, "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." Meaning "close examination" first recorded 1604.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Main Entry: scru·ti·ny
Pronunciation: 'skrüt-&n-E
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural -nies
: searching study or inquiry; specifically : judicial investigation of the constitutionality of a statutory classification of persons under the equal protection clause of the U.S. Constitution —see also INTERMEDIATE 2, STRICT SCRUTINY —compare RATIONAL BASIS TEST
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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