Examine

/ɪɡˈzæm.ɪn/ verb

Definition

To examine means to look at something very carefully in order to learn about it, check it, or find any problems. Doctors examine patients, and teachers examine students’ work.

Etymology

It comes from Latin 'examinare', meaning 'to weigh, consider, test', linked to 'examen', the tongue of a weighing scale. The idea shifted from literal weighing to mental weighing of details.

Kelly Says

To examine is to refuse to trust first impressions—you slow down and measure what’s really there. Scientists, detectives, and good friends all do this: they look closely instead of jumping to conclusions.

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