| Date: | 1600-1700 |
| Language: | Latin |
| Origin: | , past participle of inspicere, from specere 'to look' |
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in‧spect
[transitive]
[transitive]1 to examine something carefully in order to find out more about it or to find out what is wrong with it :
Police inspected the scene and interviewed all the staff. ➔ see usage note control2
Police inspected the scene and interviewed all the staff.2 to make an official visit to a building, organization etc to check that everything is satisfactory and that rules are being obeyed :
The building is regularly inspected by the fire-safety officer.
General Allenby arrived to inspect the troops.
The building is regularly inspected by the fire-safety officer.
General Allenby arrived to inspect the troops.