/ ɪnˈvestɪgeɪt; NAmE / verb
1.
to carefully examine the facts of a situation, an event, a crime, etc. to find out the truth about it or how it happened :
[ v ]
The FBI has been called in to investigate.
( informal )
'What was that noise?' 'I'll go and investigate.'
[ vn ]
Police are investigating possible links between the murders.
[also v wh- ]
2.
[ vn ] investigate sb (for sth) to try to find out information about sb's character, activities, etc. :
This is not the first time he has been investigated by the police for fraud.
3.
to find out information and facts about a subject or problem by study or research :
[ vn ]
Scientists are investigating the effects of diet on fighting cancer.
[ v wh- ]
The research investigates how foreign speakers gain fluency.
[also v ]
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WORD ORIGIN
early 16th cent.: from Latin investigat- traced out, from the verb investigare , from in- into + vestigare track, trace out.