Detect \De*tect"\ (d[-e]*t[e^]kt"), v. t. [imp. & p. p.
Detected; p. pr. & vb. n. Detecting.]
1. To uncover; to discover; to find out; to bring to light;
as, to detect a crime or a criminal; to detect a mistake
in an account.
Plain good intention . . . is as easily discovered
at the first view, as fraud is surely detected at
last. --Burke.
Like following life through creatures you dissect,
You lose it in the moment you detect. --Pope.
2. To inform against; to accuse. [Obs.]
He was untruly judged to have preached such articles
as he was detected of. --Sir T. More.
Syn: To discover; find out; lay bare; expose.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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