investigation English · revision 3555

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1436|origins=la vestīgium}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ɪnˌves.tɪˈɡeɪ.ʃᵊn/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|investigacioun]],^(MWU 2024) [[bor|fro|investigacion]],^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) and directly [[der|la|investīgātiō|t=a searching into]],^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998) from [[m|la|investīgāre|t=to trace out, search after]],^(Etymonline) from [[m|la|in-|t=in, into]] and [[m|la|vestīgāre|t=to track, trace]],^(Etymonline) from [[m|la|vestīgium|t=footprint, track]].^(Etymonline)^(Cresswell 2021) See [[investigate]] and [[vestige]].^(Etymonline)^(Cresswell 2021)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The action of investigating, a search or inquiry: 1436 in the OED^(OED 1989) and the early 15th century in Etymonline.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ An individual inquiry, with ''an'' and a plural, is from 1795.^(OED 1989) The literal sense, the tracking of an animal, is rare, recorded in 1822.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1436 – a searching into.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1795 – an inquiry.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1822 – tracking an animal (rare).^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The act or process of investigating; careful examination.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A detailed [[inquiry]], as by the police, or a systematic study.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[investigational]]

+ * [[preinvestigation]]

+ * [[reinvestigation]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[investigate]]

+ * [[investigator]]

+ * [[vestige]]

+ * [[vestigial]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}