detect
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
to find or notice something that is not easy to see, hear, or smell.
to discover or identify the presence or existence of something subtle or hidden. Transitive — requires a direct object.
Simple“The test can detect very small amounts of sugar in the blood.”
In context“Modern sensors are capable of detecting minute changes in atmospheric pressure long before a storm becomes visible to the naked eye.”
- 02 C2 Proficiency
to work on a mystery or solve a crime like a detective.
to perform the duties of a detective or engage in investigative work. Intransitive — used without a direct object.
Simple“He spent the weekend detecting, trying to find out who ate the last cookie.”
In context“The retired officer couldn't resist the urge to go detecting when he noticed the suspicious patterns in the local property records.”
UsageThis sense is often used playfully or in the context of hobbyist investigation.
Synonyms
Usage detect difference · detect effect · detect pattern
“In addition to space flight, researchers were developing tools to detect the radio signals that reach us from stars many light years away.”
“These are cases in which life exists, or once existed, but scientists fail to detect it.”
From Latin detectus, perfect passive participle of detegere (“to uncover or disclose”), from de- + tegere (“to cover”); see tegument, tile, thatch.
Back-formation from detective.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.