Etymology Map
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Investigate

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means to carry out a systematic inquiry

Where does the word "investigate" come from? It comes from Latin investigare, adopted directly into English (1500s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
investigare
Latin · ancient
"to trace out"
'in-' plus 'vestigium', footprint, the root of 'vestige'
2
Stage 2 of 2
investigate
English · 1500s
"to track"
'investigative journalism' dates from the 1900s
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Read the full story

Investigate’s story begins in Latin: investigare meant “to trace out.” 'in-' plus 'vestigium', footprint, the root of 'vestige'. It reached English by 1500s as investigate. 'investigative journalism' dates from the 1900s. Today, investigate means to carry out a systematic inquiry.