Definition of detect

competent Definition: (adjective) having the skill and knowledge needed for a particular task; capable Petersons.com

Add Word of the Day to your personalized My Yahoo! page: About My Yahoo! and RSS »

Email this page to a friend

< detainer

detection >

de·tect    (d-tkt) KEY  

TRANSITIVE VERB:
de·tect·ed , de·tect·ing , de·tects

1. To discover or ascertain the existence, presence, or fact of.
2. To discern (something hidden or subtle): detected a note of sarcasm in the remark.
3. To learn something hidden and often improper about: detected the manager in a lie.
4. Electronics To demodulate.

---

ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English detecten, from Latin dtegere , dtct-, to uncover : d-, de- + tegere, to cover; see (s)teg- in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
de·tecta·ble or de·tecti·ble (Adjective), de·tecter (Noun)

Visit our partner's site

	Provided by Houghton Mifflin eReference -- Download this interactive reference software to your desktop computer

Search Dictionary:

More on Yahoo! Education

• Online and On-Campus Degree Programs     MBAs  -  Technology Management  -  Education  -  Health  -  More  • College & Grad School - A Comprehensive Guide     College Search  -  Test Prep  -  Application Tips  -  Scholarship Search