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View synonyms for

detect

[ dih-tekt ]

verb (used with object)

  1. to discover or catch (a person) in the performance of some act:

    to detect someone cheating.

  2. to discover the existence of:

    to detect the odor of gas.

  3. to find out the true character or activity of:

    to detect a spy.

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


detect

/ ɪˈɛ /

verb

  1. to perceive or notice

    to detect a note of sarcasm

  2. to discover the existence or presence of (esp something likely to elude observation)

    to detect alcohol in the blood

  3. to extract information from (an electromagnetic wave)
  4. obsolete.
    to reveal or expose (a crime, criminal, etc)
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈٱ𳦳ٱ, noun
  • ˈٱ𳦳ٲ, adjective
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Other Word Forms

  • ·ٱ𳦳a· ·ٱ𳦳i· adjective
  • ·ٱ𳦳a·i·ٲ ·ٱ𳦳i·i·ٲ noun
  • d·ٱ𳦳 verb (used with object)
  • un·ٱ𳦳a· adjective
  • ܲd·ٱ𳦳a· adverb
  • ܲd·ٱ𳦳Ļ adjective
  • un·ٱ𳦳i· adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of detect1

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin ŧŧٳܲ “discovered,” past participle of ŧٱ𲵱 “to uncover, discover,” from ŧ- de- + tegere “to cover”; thatch
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Word History and Origins

Origin of detect1

C15: from Latin ŧٱ𳦳ٳܲ uncovered, from ŧٱ𲵱 to uncover, from de- + tegere to cover
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Currently, the standard method for detecting bacterial infections is by trying to grow a sample of it in a Petri dish.

From

"When a big company detects that the frequency is moving out of their tolerance, they can go offline to protect their equipment," said Prof Hannah Christensen at the University of Oxford.

From

Agents were in the restaurant at the time but did not immediately detect the theft.

From

The boy band’s choreography appeared unchanged from the late ’90s, as did its songs, though I might’ve detected a whisper of pedal steel in “Drowning.”

From

“Our inspectors did not detect odors in the area and did not observe any air quality violations during any of those in-person visits.”

From

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When To Use

are other ways to say detect?

To detect is to discover something hidden or unknown. When should you use detect over learn, discover, or ascertain? Find out on .

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