investigate

Definition

To inquire into or study in order to ascertain facts or information.

Etymology

Recorded since circa 1510, a back-formation from investigation on the basis of -ate (verb-forming suffix), from Latin investīgātiō (“a searching into”), from investīgātus, the perfect passive participle of investīgō, equivalent to in- + vestigate. Displaced native Old English undersēċan (literally “to search under or between”).

Example Sentences

• "to investigate the causes of natural phenomena"
• "He was asked to investigate a robbery."
• "We investigated the presence of CNM in ornithophagous ticks from migrating birds."

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