Detect
To discover or identify the presence of something, especially something not readily noticeable.
verbDetect
To discover or identify the presence of something, especially something not readily noticeable.
verb💡
Imagine This
Imagine you are a field researcher in a dim lab. You scan a sealed chamber with a handheld sensor, and though nothing seems amiss, the device beeps softly to tell you it has detected trace gas in the air.
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Sounds Like
dih-TEKT
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Looks Like
looks similar to 'defect'
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Remember This
Detect comes from Latin detegere, meaning to uncover; the root teg means cover, so detect literally means to uncover what was covered.
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Other Forms
detectionnoun
detectableadjective
detectingverb
detectedverb
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Connect With
discern, perceive, uncover, identify, notice
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Note
Do not confuse with 'defect' (a flaw). Detect means to discover or reveal something, whereas defect refers to a flaw or imperfection.