investigate

[in-ves-ti-geyt] /ɪnˈvɛs tɪˌgeɪt/
verb (used with object), investigated, investigating.
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, especially in an attempt to find a motive, cause, or culprit:
The police are investigating the murder.
verb (used without object), investigated, investigating.
3.
to make inquiry, examination, or investigation.
Origin
1500-10; < Latin investīgātus, past participle of investīgāre to follow a trail, search out. See in-2, vestige, -ate1
Related forms
investigative, investigatory
[in-ves-ti-guh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] /ɪnˈvɛs tɪ gəˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i/ (Show IPA), adjective
investigator, noun
preinvestigate, verb, preinvestigated, preinvestigating.
preinvestigator, noun
quasi-investigated, adjective
reinvestigate, verb, reinvestigated, reinvestigating.
uninvestigated, adjective
uninvestigating, adjective
uninvestigative, adjective
uninvestigatory, adjective
well-investigated, adjective
Examples from the web for investigate
  • But, though he popularises admirably the ideas of his time, he cannot investigate for himself.
  • We have now become cognizant of it and shall later on have to investigate it.
  • It hired a lawyer to investigate placement-rate practices on all of its campuses and reported its discovery to the council.
  • He has asked an outside firm to investigate placement-rate practices at all of the company's domestic campuses.
  • Reports of fraud led the government to investigate and close a handful of colleges, which left hundreds of students in limbo.
  • The other thing is you really do trip over the history and social customs of a place when you investigate the food.
  • At a certain point in each project, you get an idea and you investigate it.
  • They released him, but the charge still stands while the police investigate.
  • The results should improve models of traumatic impacts used to design protective headgear and investigate injury.
  • Prosecutors continue to investigate whether he was acting in concert with others.
British Dictionary definitions for investigate

investigate

/ɪnˈvɛstɪˌɡeɪt/
verb
1.
to inquire into (a situation or problem, esp a crime or death) thoroughly; examine systematically, esp in order to discover the truth
Derived Forms
investigable, adjective
investigative, investigatory, adjective
Word Origin
C16: from Latin investīgāre to search after, from in-² + vestīgium track; see vestige
Word Origin and History for investigate
v.

c.1500, back-formation from investigation, or else from Latin investigatus, past participle of investigare "to trace out, search after" (see investigation). Related: Investigated; investigating.