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Dictionary Language resources

detective

Pronunciation: /dɪˈtɛktɪv/

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Definition of detective

noun

a person, especially a police officer, whose occupation is to investigate and solve crimes: detectives are anxious to interview anyone who saw the car
[as modifier] denoting a rank of police officer with investigative duties:a detective inspector
[as modifier] concerning crime and its investigation:detective work

Origin:

mid 19th century: from detect. The noun was originally short for detective policeman, from an adjectival use of the word in the sense 'serving to detect'