[de.tect] vb [ME, fr. L detectus, pp. of detegere to uncover, detect, fr. de- + tegere to cover--more at thatch] vt (1581) 1: to discover the true character of
2: to discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of "~ alcohol in the blood"
3: demodulate ~ vi: to work as a detective -- de.tect.abil.i.ty n -- de.tect.able adj