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ex·am·ine (ĭg-zămĭn)
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tr.v. ex·am·ined, ex·am·in·ing, ex·am·ines
1.
a. To observe carefully or critically; inspect: examined the room for clues.
b. To study or analyze: examine a tissue sample under a microscope; examine the structure of a novel; examine one's own motives.
2. To test or check the condition or health of: examine a patient.
3. To determine the qualifications, aptitude, or skills of by means of questions or exercises: Students are examined with standardized tests.
4. To question formally, as to elicit facts or information; interrogate: examine a witness under oath. See Synonyms at ask.
[Middle English examinen, from Old French examiner, from Latin exāmināre, from exāmen, a weighing out, from exigere, to weigh out; see EXACT.]
ex·amin·a·ble adj.
ex·amin·er n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
 

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

    Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

    Indo-European Roots

    Semitic Roots

    The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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