Meaning of examine in English

Table of contents

Verb
examine
Etymology
Middle English: from Old French examiner, from Latin examinare‘weigh, test’, from examen‘examination’
Definitions
1. consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning
Examples
- « analyze a sonnet by Shakespeare »
- « analyze the evidence in a criminal trial »
- « analyze your real motives »
Derived terms
2. observe, check out, and look over carefully or inspect
Examples
- « The customs agent examined the baggage »
- « I must see your passport before you can enter the country »
Derived terms
3. question or examine thoroughly and closely
Derived terms
4. question closely
Derived terms
5. put to the test, as for its quality, or give experimental use to
Examples
- « This approach has been tried with good results »
- « Test this recipe »
Derived terms

Famous quotes

« I never wanted to do biography just to tell the life of a famous man. I always wanted to use the life of a man to examine political power, because democracy shapes our lives. »
Robert Caro
« Medicine to produce health must examine disease and music, to create harmony must investigate discord. »
Plutarch
« Popular art is the dream of society it does not examine itself. »
Margaret Atwood
« I find that it's hard to fully examine one's life and not have faith be part of the discussion. »
J. J. Abrams
« If a dog will not come to you after having looked you in the face, you should go home and examine your conscience. »
Woodrow Wilson