Detective

Definition

Detective refers to a person, typically a member of a police force, who investigates crimes and gathers evidence. Detectives may work on criminal cases, surveillance, or intelligence operations to solve complex cases.

Parts of Speech

• Noun

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /dɪˈtɛk.tɪv/
• Respelling: dih-TEK-tiv

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /dɪˈtɛk.tɪv/
• Respelling: dih-TEK-tiv

Etymology

The word "detective" originates from the Latin "detegere," meaning "to uncover" or "to reveal." The term evolved from "detect," which means to discover or notice something, and became commonly used in the 19th century as a noun referring to investigators or detectives in law enforcement.

Derivatives

• Detect (verb)
• Detection (noun)
• Detectable (adjective)
• Detective work (noun)
• Undetected (adjective)

Synonyms

• Investigator
• Sleuth
• Inspector

Antonyms

• None

Usage

The noun "detective" is often used to refer to a person who conducts investigations, primarily related to crime-solving or surveillance. For example, "The detective gathered evidence from the crime scene." It is commonly used in both law enforcement and private investigation contexts.

Related Terms

• Investigation: The process of examining or inquiring into a subject to uncover facts.
• Surveillance: The monitoring of behavior or information.
• Forensics: The application of scientific methods to solve crimes.

Detailed Definitions

Noun

• A person, often in law enforcement, who investigates and solves crimes: Refers to a professional responsible for gathering evidence, questioning witnesses, and solving criminal cases.
  • Example: "The detective was assigned to investigate the robbery."
• A private investigator who conducts independent investigations: Refers to a person who investigates cases privately, often hired by clients outside of official law enforcement.
  • Example: "She hired a detective to find her missing heirloom."