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suspect

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Definition of suspect

verb

Pronunciation: /səˈspɛkt/
[with object]
  • 1have an idea or impression of the existence, presence, or truth of (something) without certain proof:if you suspect a gas leak, do not turn on an electric light [with clause]:she suspected that he might be bluffing (as adjective suspected)a suspected heart condition
  • believe or feel that (someone) is guilty of an illegal, dishonest, or unpleasant act, without certain proof:parents suspected of child abuse
  • 2doubt the genuineness or truth of:a broker whose honesty he had no reason to suspect

noun

Pronunciation: /ˈsʌspɛkt/
  • a person thought to be guilty of a crime or offence:the police have arrested a suspect

adjective

Pronunciation: /ˈsʌspɛkt/
  • not to be relied on or trusted; possibly dangerous or false:a suspect package was found on the platform

Origin:

Middle English (originally as an adjective): from Latin suspectus 'mistrusted', past participle of suspicere, from sub- 'from below' + specere 'to look'

suspect in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of suspect in the US English dictionary
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