Crossword Dictionary
EXAMINE
examine, see - v
observe, check out, and look over carefully or inspect; "The customs agent examined the baggage"; "I must see your passport before you can enter the country"
Synonyms
audit, check, check out, consider, criticize, delve into, explore, inspect, investigate, ponder, pore over, probe, read, research, review, scan, screen, scrutinize, study, survey, try, vet, view, appraise, assay, canvass, case, eye, finger, frisk, gun, inquire, parse, peruse, prospect, prove, reconnoiter, sift, sweep, weigh, winnow
Examples
He walked over to examine the crosses and then squatted beside them, rifle across his knees, reading.
Everything is strained to such a degree that it will certainly break, said Pierre (as those who examine the actions of any government have always said since governments began).
In every action we examine we see a certain measure of freedom and a certain measure of inevitability.
Etymology
c. 1300, "put (someone) to question in regard to knowledge, competence, or skill, inquire into qualifications or capabilities;" mid-14c., "inspect or survey (something) carefully, scrutinize, view or observe in all aspects with the purpose of forming a correct opinion or judgment," from Old French examiner "interrogate, question, torture," from Latin examinare "to test or try; consider, ponder," literally "to weigh," from examen "a means of weighing or testing," probably ultimately from exigere "demand, require, enforce," literally "to drive or force out," also "to finish, measure," from ex "out" (see ex-) + agere "to set in motion, drive, drive forward; to do, perform" (from PIE root *ag- "to drive, draw out or forth, move"). Legal sense of "question or hear (a witness in court)" is from early 15c. Related: Examined; examining.