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au·dit (ôdĭt)
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n.
1. An examination of records or financial accounts to check their accuracy.
2. An adjustment or correction of accounts.
3. An examined and verified account.
4. A thorough examination or evaluation: an audit of water use.
v. au·dit·ed, au·dit·ing, au·dits
v.tr.
1. To examine, verify, or correct the financial accounts of: Independent accountants audit the company annually. The IRS audits questionable income tax returns.
2. To attend (a course) without requesting or receiving academic credit.
3. To examine or evaluate (something) thoroughly: audit a house's energy consumption.
v.intr.
To conduct an audit.
[Middle English (influenced by auditor, auditor), from Latin audītus, a hearing, from past participle of audīre, to hear; see au- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]
audit·a·ble adj.
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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