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Added 9 October 2026

detect

/dɪˈtɛkt/ verb

In Latin: dētegō Wiktionary

verb Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about detect at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

To discover or notice, especially by careful search, examination, or probing.
The forensic examiners detected tiny traces of the poison on the suspect's gloves.
To work or solve cases as a detective.

adjective

Detected.

Origin

From Latin detectus, perfect passive participle of detegere (“to uncover or disclose”), from de- + tegere (“to cover”); see tegument, tile, thatch. Sense "to work or solve cases as a detective" a back-formation from detective.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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