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 examining
Contemporary Examples
Then as now, the majority of Americans had little interest in examining the nuclear sword of Damocles their fear had wrought.
Almost like examining every game developer and game publication for signs of being “corrupted by the feminist agenda.”
In a 2011 article for Wired, David Axe speculated that Iran would seek Chinese help in examining the RQ-170.
Examining both overweight and obese rates combined, the numbers become even more shocking.
The commission was supposed to be examining the arguments for tightening up the use of the death penalty.
Historical Examples
Clayton knew it very well, and the trick of examining the books was all a fudge.
"I can see now that it is even so," said John, examining the parchment again.
The White CompanyArthur Conan Doyle
It is necessary that these be understood in examining this table.
Woman's Institute Library of Cookery, Vol. 5Woman's Institute of Domestic Arts and Sciences
Girls and women are employed in examining the bodies of the moths with microscopes.
The Roof of FranceMatilda Betham-Edwards
He had been examining a glass, a spoon and some other objects so quietly that I had not heard.
The Bacillus of BeautyHarriet Stark
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 examining
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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