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.
  1. to rectify alternating signal currents in a radio receiver.
  2. 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

Example sentences from the Web for undetected

British Dictionary definitions for undetected (1 of 2)

undetected
/ (ˌʌndɪˈtɛktɪd) /

adjective

not perceived, noticed, or discovered the fake bomb passed undetected

British Dictionary definitions for undetected (2 of 2)

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, noun

Word Origin for detect

C15: from Latin dētectus uncovered, from dētegere to uncover, from de- + tegere to cover