examine
[ig-zam-in]
- to inspect or scrutinize carefully: to examine a prospective purchase.
- to observe, test, or investigate (a person's body or any part of it), especially in order to evaluate general health or determine the cause of illness.
- to inquire into or investigate: to examine one's motives.
- to test the knowledge, reactions, or qualifications of (a pupil, candidate, etc.), as by questions or assigning tasks.
- to subject to legal inquisition; put to question in regard to conduct or to knowledge of facts; interrogate: to examine a witness; to examine a suspect.
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Origin of examine
1275–1325; Middle English < Middle French examiner < Latin exāmināre to weigh, examine, test, equivalent to exāmin- (stem of exāmen examen) + -āre infinitive ending
Synonyms
See more synonyms for examine on Thesaurus.com1. search, probe, explore, study. 3. quiz.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for examine
Contemporary Examples
Any institution striving to examine such an iconic figure would find formidable challenges.
It is simply that we have failed to understand and examine the factors that are putting young gay men at risk.
It was a strangely shaped block, due to the area once being underwater, and he took it home with him to examine closer.
When Breman asked to examine him, he was too sick to answer.
They were being carried out and the stench of their rotting flesh and bloated guts made it hard to examine them closely.
Historical Examples
We left the track to examine a gully to the north, but could not find any water.
Explorations in AustraliaJohn Forrest
But let us return to the opinion of Maimonides, and examine it more closely.
A Theological-Political Treatise [Part II]Benedict of Spinoza
There only remains to examine the opinions of those who differ from me.
A Theological-Political Treatise [Part II]Benedict of Spinoza
Then examine the meat to see how much of the liquid has evaporated.
Woman's Institute Library of Cookery, Vol. 3Woman's Institute of Domestic Arts and Sciences
Then Linda began to examine books more carefully than before.
Her Father's DaughterGene Stratton-Porter
examine
- to look at, inspect, or scrutinize carefully or in detail; investigate
- education to test the knowledge or skill of (a candidate) in (a subject or activity) by written or oral questions or by practical tests
- law to interrogate (a witness or accused person) formally on oath
- med to investigate the state of health of (a patient)
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Word Origin
C14: from Old French examiner, from Latin exāmināre to weigh, from exāmen means of weighing; see examen
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for examine
v.
c.1300, from Old French examiner "interrogate, question, torture," from Latin examinare "to test or try; weigh, consider, ponder," from examen "a means of weighing or testing," probably ultimately from exigere "weigh accurately" (see exact). Related: Examined; examining.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
examine
(ĭg-zăm′ĭn)- To study or analyze an organic material.
- To test or check the condition or health of.
- To determine the qualifications, aptitude, or skills of by means of questions or exercises.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
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