investigation

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   The careful examination of something in order to find out the facts.

   The investigation into the crime took several months.

2. 2
   noun

   A detailed inquiry into questionable or unfamiliar activities.

   The company launched an internal investigation into the missing funds.

Appears in

Simplified etymology

Investigation entered English in the late Middle Ages from a Latin verb meaning “to track” or “to follow traces.” That verb belongs to the family of Latin vestigium, “footprint,” which also gave English vestige.

From Middle English investigacioun, from Old French investigacion, from Latin investigatio. Morphologically investigate + -ion.

Topics

External links

• Google Images
• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary