The action or an act of examining a person or thing (in various senses of the verb); examination; an instance of this.

Investigation of or inquiry into a subject, situation, proposition, etc.; critical analysis. Also: an instance of this; an analysis, a study.

The action or an act of examining a person or thing; spec. (esp. in the Presbyterian Church) a clergyman's examination of his parishioners on their…

The action or an act of appraising, investigating, or scrutinizing something. Obsolete.

Close investigation or consideration, critical examination or judgement; discussion, comment, perception, discernment. Cf. scan, v. 2b. Phrases, †to…

Minute search or examination.

Investigation, critical inquiry; an instance of this. Formerly often (now rarely) const. into, †of.

The action of pervestigate, v.; diligent research or investigation.

In figurative uses. Frequently in under the microscope: subject to close scrutiny; also to put under the microscope.

The action of looking into, or under the surface of, things, esp. with the mind; close inspection or examination of something. ? Obsolete except…

The action of scanning; close investigation or scrutiny; perception, discernment; a scanning look.

figurative. Sifting of evidence, etc.; close scrutiny. boulting out: getting at by sifting.

Poring over, scrutinizing; examining, scanning.

figurative. Close search or investigation; plodding work, laborious study.

figurative. Excessively minute examination or criticism.

Something likened to a searchlight in throwing a powerful or revealing light on a subject. Used with reference to something or someone being…