detect
v.v. to notice or discover something that is hard to see, hear, or find. You use this when you find a small change or a hidden problem using your senses or a tool.
v. to discover or identify the presence or existence of something, especially something subtle or hidden. Transitive; often used in scientific or investigative contexts to describe the function of sensors or keen observation.
The alarm can detect even a tiny amount of smoke.
Security cameras are designed to detect any movement in the building after the staff leaves for the night.
Modern medical imaging allows doctors to detect physiological changes at a cellular level long before the patient begins to exhibit outward symptoms of the disease.
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.
The verb is transitive and requires a direct object.