də̇ˈtekt, dēˈ- transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English detecten, from Latin detectus, past participle of detegere to uncover, detect, from de from, away + tegere to cover — more at thatch
1. : to discover the true especially hidden or disguised character of (a person)
detect a hypocrite
potential crack-ups who should have been detected at the induction center — S.L.A.Marshall
2. : to discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of
detect the presence of alcohol in blood
radar devices to detect enemy planes
his keen eyes detected a slight movement in the bushes
3. radio
a. : to determine the presence of (a signal)
b. : rectify
c. : to convert (a modulated wave or current) into the original modulating wave or current : demodulate
Synonyms: see discover