scrutinize
English
WOTD – 24 August 2009
Alternative forms
- scrutinise (Commonwealth)
Etymology
From scrutiny + -ize.
Pronunciation
- (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈskɹuːtɨnaɪz/
- (General American) enPR: skro͞otʹn-īz, IPA(key): /ˈskɹutn̩ˌaɪz/
Audio (AU) (file) - Hyphenation: scru‧ti‧nize
Verb
scrutinize (third-person singular simple present scrutinizes, present participle scrutinizing, simple past and past participle scrutinized)
- (transitive) To examine something with great care or detail, as to look for hidden or obscure flaws.
- to scrutinize the conduct or motives of individuals
- 1726, John Ayliffe, Parergon juris canonici Anglicani
- whose votes they were obliged to scrutinize
- 1879, George Washington Cable, Old Creole Days:
- Those pronounced him youngest who scrutinized his face the closest.
- (transitive) To audit accounts etc in order to verify them.
Related terms
- inscrutable
- scrutineer
- scrutiny
Translations
to examine with great care
|
to audit accounts
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