investigate
//ɪnˈvɛs.tə.ɡeɪt//
Forms
- present (v1)
- investigate
- past (v2)
- investigated
- past participle (v3)
- investigated
- present participle
- investigating
- 3rd person singular
- investigates
Definitions
1.To inquire into or study in order to ascertain facts or information.
- He was asked to investigate a robbery.
- We investigated the presence of CNM in ornithophagous ticks from migrating birds.
- The current study investigates autoantibodies against steroid synthesis enzymes in dogs with spontaneous hypoadrenocorticism.
2.To examine, look into, or scrutinize in order to discover something hidden or secret.
3.To conduct an inquiry or examination.
- "Why don't you investigate?" he demanded. And investigate I did.
Frequency
Overall
Common· #1834
By learning goal
- Everyday conversation
- Uncommon
- General reading & writing
- Common
- Academic
- Uncommon
- Literature
- Rare
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.