scrutiny

noun, plural scru·ti·nies.

1. a searching examination or investigation; minute inquiry.
2. surveillance; close and continuous watching or guarding.
3. a close and searching look.

noun plural -nies

1. close or minute examination
2. a searching look
3. 1. (in the early Christian Church) a formal testing that catechumens had to undergo before being baptized
   2. a similar examination of candidates for holy orders

n.early 15c., “a vote to choose someone to decide a question,” from Late Latin scrutinium “a search, inquiry” (in Medieval Latin, “a mode of election by ballot”), from Latin scrutari “to examine, investigate, search,” from PIE root *skreu- “to cut; cutting tool” (see shred (n.)). Meaning “close examination” first recorded c.1600. Perhaps the original notion of the Latin word is “to search through trash,” via scruta (plural) “trash, rags” (“shreds”); or the original sense might be “to cut into, scratch.”