investigate: Meaning and Definition of

in•ves•ti•gate

Pronunciation: (in-ves'ti-gāt"), [key]
— v., -gat•ed, -gat•ing.
—v.t.
  1. to examine, study, or inquire into systematically; search or examine into the particulars of; examine in detail.
  2. to search out and examine the particulars of in an attempt to learn the facts about something hidden, unique, or complex, esp. in an attempt to find a motive, cause, or culprit: The police are investigating the murder.
—v.i.
  1. to make inquiry, examination, or investigation.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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