detect

[dih-tekt]

See more synonyms for detect on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

to discover or catch (a person) in the performance of some act: to detect someone cheating.
to discover the existence of: to detect the odor of gas.
to find out the true character or activity of: to detect a spy.

Telecommunications.
1. to rectify alternating signal currents in a radio receiver.
2. to demodulate.

Origin of detect

1400–50; late Middle English < Latin dētēctus (past participle of dētegere), equivalent to dē- de- + teg(ere) to cover + -tus past participle suffix

Related formsde·tect·a·ble, de·tect·i·ble, adjectivede·tect·a·bil·i·ty, de·tect·i·bil·i·ty, nounpre·de·tect, verb (used with object)un·de·tect·a·ble, adjectiveun·de·tect·a·bly, adverbun·de·tect·ed, adjectiveun·de·tect·i·ble, adjective

Synonym study

2. See learn.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for detectable

Contemporary Examples

Each of the patients had detectable virus in blood but far fewer had virus found in other body fluids.
Did One Liberian Prostitute Give Ebola to Eight Soldiers?
Kent Sepkowitz
October 7, 2014
In contrast, the actual chicken pox virus long ago exited my bloodstream and is not detectable.
The ‘HIV-Cured Baby’ Distorts Hope
Kent Sepkowitz
March 7, 2014
She, unlike the other millions, has no detectable antibody to HIV.
The ‘HIV-Cured Baby’ Distorts Hope
Kent Sepkowitz
March 7, 2014
In other words, imagine being disloyal in a way that was not detectable by the people you were betraying.
Whistleblowers Are Weird
Megan McArdle
June 10, 2013
“Probably” not detectable by a metal detector; unclear whether the new body scanners would have caught it.
Man’s Airport Strip Meant to Highlight Intrusive and Ineffective TSA Security
Winston Ross
May 9, 2012

Historical Examples

"Here," Tip answered, in a detectable imitation of Schroeder's voice.
Space Prison
Tom Godwin
It is detectable in every utterance of theirs when they are talking about us.
Is Shakespeare Dead?
Mark Twain
Then suddenly—for no detectable reason—conditions are reversed.
Disturbing Sun
Robert Shirley Richardson
"We can always depend on Johnny," said Paresi with no detectable emphasis at all.
Breaking Point
James E. Gunn
The beam is not detectable by your methods and, therefore, cannot be jammed.
Diplomatic Immunity
Robert Sheckley

British Dictionary definitions for detectable

detect

verb (tr)

to perceive or noticeto detect a note of sarcasm
to discover the existence or presence of (esp something likely to elude observation)to detect alcohol in the blood
to extract information from (an electromagnetic wave)
obsolete to reveal or expose (a crime, criminal, etc)

Derived Formsdetectable or detectible, adjectivedetecter, noun

Word Origin

C15: from Latin dētectus uncovered, from dētegere to uncover, from de- + tegere to cover

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for detectable

detect

v.

early 15c., from Latin detectus, past participle of detegere "uncover, expose," figuratively "discover, reveal, disclose," from de- "un-, off" (see de-) + tegere "to cover" (see stegosaurus). Related: Detected; detecting.

detect

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Synonym study

Examples from the Web for detectable

Contemporary Examples

Each of the patients had detectable virus in blood but far fewer had virus found in other body fluids.

In contrast, the actual chicken pox virus long ago exited my bloodstream and is not detectable.

She, unlike the other millions, has no detectable antibody to HIV.

In other words, imagine being disloyal in a way that was not detectable by the people you were betraying.

“Probably” not detectable by a metal detector; unclear whether the new body scanners would have caught it.

Historical Examples

"Here," Tip answered, in a detectable imitation of Schroeder's voice.

It is detectable in every utterance of theirs when they are talking about us.

Then suddenly—for no detectable reason—conditions are reversed.

"We can always depend on Johnny," said Paresi with no detectable emphasis at all.

The beam is not detectable by your methods and, therefore, cannot be jammed.

detect

Word Origin

Word Origin and History for detectable

detect

v.

Origin of detect