investigate
/ɪnˈvɛstɪɡeɪt
/verb [with object]
1Carry out a systematic or formal inquiry to discover and examine the facts of (an incident, allegation, etc.) so as to establish the truth: police are investigating a claim that the man was beaten unconscious by a gang...
- Police investigated allegations that the incident involved violence.
- The Home Office also revealed the Police Complaints Authority - which investigates serious incidents and allegations of malpractice - is reviewing the high accident level.
- When the police were investigating the incident they discovered safe-breaking equipment in the dormobile.
1.1Carry out research or study into (a subject or problem, typically one in a scientific or academic field): [with clause]: future studies will investigate whether long-term use of the drugs could prevent cancer...
- Few studies have investigated this subject in relation to Ramadan.
- The goal of the present study was to investigate the foregoing issues.
- Simm plays a human rights researcher investigating the plight of women being trafficked through Europe.
1.2Make inquiries as to the character, activities, or background of (someone): everyone with a possible interest in your brother’s death must be thoroughly investigated...
- He had the Shar woman up against the wall and was thoroughly investigating her for concealed weapons.
- Anyone investigating me could find out that my immediate boss was named Jill.
- We are investigating him for possible links to international gun - running.
1.3 [no object] Make a check to find out something: when you didn’t turn up I thought I’d better come back to investigate...
- There's also the laboratory in which medicines are tested and illnesses investigated.
- Tameside council auditors uncovered the payments during a routine check and may ask the Inland Revenue to investigate.
- That is not inappropriate, if key service issues are to be properly tested and investigated.
Derivatives
investigatory
/ adjective ...- No investigatory tribunal has ever been established for the Thatcher period.
- Of course, there would be a need for an investigatory body to examine those professors who were attempting to hide their ideological roots in a vain attempt to cling to their tenure.
- The regulation of investigatory powers bill, which should become law by the summer, provides the legal framework which will make Britain the greatest surveillance society on Earth.
Origin
Early 16th century: from Latin investigat- 'traced out', from the verb investigare, from in- 'into' + vestigare 'track, trace out'.