I. igˈzamə̇n, eg- verb
( examined ; examined ; examining -ni(ə̇)niŋ ; examines )
Etymology: Middle English examinen, from Middle French examiner, from Latin examinare, from examin-, examen tongue of a balance, consideration, examination — more at examen
transitive verb
1. : to test by an appropriate method : investigate: as
a. : to look over : inspect visually or by use of other senses (as for the determination of accuracy, propriety, or quality)
examining title deeds
carefully examined his steward's accounts
examining the cloth and its embroidery
b. : to inspect or test for evidence of disease or abnormality
the doctor examined the young men and found them in perfect health
c. : to inquire into the state of especially by introspective processes
first examine your own conscience
he examined his inmost thoughts
d. : to search (as baggage) especially for contraband or dutiable items
2. : to seek to ascertain : attempt to determine
attempt to examine whether and to what extent the enormous growth in the economic welfare of this nation has been … aided by our knowledge of economics — Fritz Machlup
sat brooding and examining how he was at fault
3. : to interrogate closely (as in a judicial proceeding) : try or test by question
examining witnesses in court
examined the students in French
examine a bankrupt regarding the state of his property
intransitive verb
: to make or give an examination
the doctor will examine at the infirmary
— usually used with into
let us examine into the basic mechanism involved
spent some time examining into the rumor that an underground passage led from the castle to the marsh
Synonyms: see ask , scrutinize
II. noun
( -s )
archaic : examination , scrutiny