detect
[ dih-tekt ]
/ dɪˈtɛkt /
verb (used with object)
to discover or catch (a person) in the performance of some act: to detect someone cheating.
to discover the existence of: to detect the odor of gas.
to find out the true character or activity of: to detect a spy.
Telecommunications.
- to rectify alternating signal currents in a radio receiver.
- to demodulate.
Origin of detect
1400–50; late Middle English < Latin
dētēctus (past participle of
dētegere), equivalent to
dē-
de- +
teg(ere) to cover +
-tus past participle suffix
synonym study for detect
2. See
learn.
OTHER WORDS FROM detect
Words nearby detect
Example sentences from the Web for detect
British Dictionary definitions for detect
detect
/ (dɪˈtɛkt) /
verb (tr)
to perceive or notice
to detect a note of sarcasm
to discover the existence or presence of (esp something likely to elude observation)
to detect alcohol in the blood
to extract information from (an electromagnetic wave)
obsolete
to reveal or expose (a crime, criminal, etc)
Derived forms of detect
detectable or detectible, adjective detecter, nounWord Origin for detect
C15: from Latin
dētectus uncovered, from
dētegere to uncover, from
de- +
tegere to cover