inspector English · revision 6611

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1602|origins=la inspicio}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ɪnˈspɛk.təː/ ''(UK)''; /ɪnˈspɛk.tɚ/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|la|inspector|t=one who views or observes]],^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)^(SOED 2002) an agent noun from [[m|la|inspicio|alt=inspicere|t=to look into, examine]] (see [[inspect]]), from [[m|la|in-|t=into]] and [[m|la|specio|alt=specere|t=to look]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ One who looks carefully into something, an overseer or superintendent: 1602 in the OED and MWU, about 1600 in Etymonline.^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ One who looks into something out of curiosity is from 1667.^(OED 1989) The ''inspector-general'', head of a system of inspection, is from 1702.^(OED 1989) As a police rank between sergeant and superintendent it dates from 1840.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) An official who checks that rules and standards are kept, such as a school or tax inspector, is a common modern use.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023) Of the 18th-century feminine forms, inspectrix (1703) is earlier than inspectress (1737).^(Etymonline) In Northumberland and Durham mining, an inspector had charge of the workmen.^(Wright 1898)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1602 – an overseer.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1667 – one who looks into something.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1702 – inspector-general.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1840 – a police rank.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # An official who inspects things to check that standards or rules are being met.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A police officer ranking below a [[superintendent]] and above a [[sergeant]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[inspectoral]]

+ * [[inspectorship]]

+ * [[inspectorate]]

+ * [[subinspector]]

+ * [[inspector general]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[inspect]]

+ * [[inspection]]

+ * [[spectator]]

+ * [[spy]]

+ * [[aspect]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}