WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : Ex*am"ine
Part of Speech : v.
Etymology : [L. examinare, examinatum, fr. examen, examinis: cf. F. examiner. See Examen.]
Definition : 1. To test by any appropriate method; to inspect carefully with a view to discover the real character or state of; to subject to inquiry or inspection of particulars for the purpose of obtaining a fuller insight into the subject of examination, as a material substance, a fact, a reason, a cause, the truth of a statement; to inquire or search into; to explore; as, to examine a mineral; to examine a ship to know whether she is seaworthy; to examine a proposition, theory, or question. Examine well your own thoughts. Chaucer. Examine their counsels and their cares. Shak.

2. To interrogate as in a judicial proceeding; to try or test by question; as, to examine a witness in order to elicit testimony, a student to test his qualifications, a bankrupt touching the state of his property, etc. The offenders that are to be examined. Shak.

Syn. -- To discuss; debate; scrutinize; search into; investigate; explore. See Discuss.

t. [imp. & p. p. Examined; p. pr. & vb. n. Examining.]
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913