expiscate

[ ek-spuh-skeyt, ek-spis-keyt ]

verb (used with object)

, Chiefly Scot.

, ex·pis·cat·ed, ex·pis·cat·ing.

1. to find out by thorough and detailed investigation; discover through scrupulous examination.

Other Words From

• expis·cation noun
• ex·pis·ca·to·ry [ek-, spis, -k, uh, -tawr-ee, -tohr-ee], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of expiscate¹

1605–15; < Latin expiscātus, past participle of expiscārī to fish out. See ex- ¹, pisci-, -ate ¹