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detect

Pronunciation: /dɪˈtɛkt/

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Definition of detect

verb

[with object]
  • discover or identify the presence or existence of:cancer may soon be detected in its earliest stages
  • discern (something intangible or barely perceptible):Paul detected a faint note of weariness in his father’s voice
  • discover or investigate (a crime or its perpetrators):the public can help the police to detect crime

Derivatives

detectable

adjective

detectably

adverb

Origin:

late Middle English: from Latin detect- 'uncovered', from the verb detegere, from de- (expressing reversal) + tegere 'to cover'. The original senses were 'uncover, expose' and 'give someone away', later 'expose the real or hidden nature of'; hence the current (partly influenced by detective)

detect in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of detect in the US English dictionary

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