detective

//dɪˈtɛktɪv//

Noun

A word that identifies a person, place, thing, or idea.

A word that describes or modifies a noun or pronoun.

informal

Mnemonics, your own examples, reminders…

1.A police officer tasked with collecting evidence and information in order to solve a crime; an investigator.
- He worked as a detective with the agency for five years.
2.A person employed to find information not otherwise available to the public.
- Tom wanted to hire a detective.

Uncommon· #2367

The adjective is from Classical Latin dētēct-, past participial stem of dētegō (“to detect”), + -ive.

The noun is an ellipsis of detective policeman, detective officer, or a similar construction.

By surface analysis, detect + -ive.

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