detecting

de·tect

D0168900 (dĭ-tĕkt′)tr.v. de·tect·ed, de·tect·ing, de·tects 1. To discover or ascertain the existence, presence, or fact of.2. To discern (something hidden or subtle): detected a note of sarcasm in the remark.3. To learn something hidden and often improper about: detected the manager in a lie.4. Electronics To demodulate.

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[Middle English detecten, from Latin dētegere, dētēct-, to uncover : dē-, de- + tegere, to cover; see (s)teg- in Indo-European roots.]

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de·tect′a·ble, de·tect′i·ble adj.de·tect′er n.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

detecting - a police investigation to determine the perpetrator; "detection is hard on the feet"detective work, sleuthing, detectionpolice investigation, police work - the investigation of criminal activities