Main Entry:

in·ves·ti·gate

Pronunciation:

\in-ˈves-tə-ˌgāt\

Function:

verb

Inflected Form(s):

in·ves·ti·gat·ed; in·ves·ti·gat·ing

Etymology:

Latin investigatus, past participle of investigare to track, investigate, from in- + vestigium footprint, track

Date:

circa 1510

transitive verb: to observe or study by close examination and systematic inquiryintransitive verb: to make a systematic examination ; especially : to conduct an official inquiry

— in·ves·ti·ga·tion \-ˌves-tə-ˈgā-shən\ noun

— in·ves·ti·ga·tive \-ˈves-tə-ˌgā-tiv\ adjective

— in·ves·ti·ga·tor \-ˌgā-tər\ noun

— in·ves·ti·ga·to·ry \-ˈves-ti-gə-ˌtȯr-ē\ adjective