verb (used with object)
- to look carefully at or over; view closely and critically: to inspect every part of the motor.
- to view or examine formally or officially: The general inspected the troops.
verb (tr)
- to examine closely, esp for faults or errors
- to scrutinize officially (a document, military personnel on ceremonial parade, etc)
1620s, from Latin inspectus, past participle of inspicere “to look into” (see inspection). Related: Inspected; inspecting.