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Definition of detect


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de·tect  audio  (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)


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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition.
Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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