inspect Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb look over carefully
    • Please inspect your father's will carefully
  2. verb come to see in an official or professional capacity
    visit.
    • The governor visited the prison
    • The grant administrator visited the laboratory
  3. verb examine carefully for accuracy with the intent of verification
    audit; scrutinize; scrutinise.
    • audit accounts and tax returns

WordNet

In*spect" transitive verb
Etymology
L. inspectus, p. p. of inspicere to inspect; pref. in- in + specere to look at, to view: cf. F. inspecter, fr. L. inspectare, freq. fr. inspicere. See Spy.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Inspected; present participle & verbal noun Inspecting
Definitions
  1. To look upon; to view closely and critically, esp. in order to ascertain quality or condition, to detect errors, etc., to examine; to scrutinize; to investigate; as, to inspect conduct.
  2. To view and examine officially, as troops, arms, goods offered, work done for the public, etc.; to oversee; to superintend. Sir W. Temple.
In*spect" noun
Etymology
L. inspectus. See Inspect, v. t.
Definitions
  1. Inspection. Obs. Thomson.

Webster 1913