scrutiny

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: scru=ti=ny

CIDE DICTIONARY

scrutiny, n. [L. scrutinium, fr. scrutari to search carefully, originally, to search even to the rags, fr. scruta trash, trumpery; perhaps akin to E. shred: cf. AS. scrudnian to make scrutiny.].

•  Close examination; minute inspection; critical observation.  [1913 Webster]

  "They that have designed exactness and deep scrutiny have taken some one part of nature."  [1913 Webster]

  "Thenceforth I thought thee worth my nearer view
  And narrower scrutiny."  [1913 Webster]
•  An examination of catechumens, in the last week of Lent, who were to receive baptism on Easter Day.  [1913 Webster]
•  A ticket, or little paper billet, on which a vote is written.  [1913 Webster]
•  An examination by a committee of the votes given at an election, for the purpose of correcting the poll.  Brande & C.  [1913 Webster]

scrutiny, v. t. 

 To scrutinize.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

scrutiny, n. (pl. -ies)
1 a critical gaze.
2 a close investigation or examination of details.
3 an official examination of ballot-papers to check their validity or accuracy of counting.

Etymology

ME f. L scrutinium f. scrutari search f. scruta rubbish: orig. of rag-collectors

THESAURUS

scrutiny

analysis, attention to detail, audit, check, close study, contemplation, eagle eye, enquiry, examination, exploration, eye, eyeball inspection, fascinated attention, finicalness, finickiness, fixed regard, harping, inquiry, inspection, investigation, look-in, meticulous attention, minute attention, ocular inspection, overhaul, overhauling, overview, perlustration, perusal, probe, probing, quality control, rapt attention, review, run-through, scan, sifting, special consideration, strict attention, study, surveillance, survey, tab, the eye, undivided attention, unrelenting attention, vetting, view, visitation, visual examination, watch

ROGET THESAURUS

scrutiny

Inquiry

N inquiry, request, search, research, quest, pursuit, examination, review, scrutiny, investigation, indagation, perquisition, perscrutation, pervestigation, inquest, inquisition, exploration, exploitation, ventilation, sifting, calculation, analysis, dissection, resolution, induction, Baconian method, strict inquiry, close inquiry, searching inquiry, exhaustive inquiry, narrow search, strict search, study, scire facias, ad referendum, trial, questioning, interrogation, interrogatory, interpellation, challenge, examination, cross-examination, catechism, feeler, Socratic method, zetetic philosophy, leading question, discussion, reconnoitering, reconnaissance, prying, espionage, espionnage, domiciliary visit, peep behind the curtain, lantern of Diogenes, question, query, problem, desideratum, point to be solved, porism, subject of inquiry, field of inquiry, subject of controversy, point in dispute, matter in dispute, moot point, issue, question at issue, bone of contention, plain question, fair question, open question, enigma, knotty point, quodlibet, threshold of an inquiry, inquirer, investigator, inquisitor, inspector, querist, examiner, catechist, scrutator scrutineer scrutinizer, analyst, quidnunc, inquiry, inquisitive, requisitive, requisitory, catechetical, inquisitorial, analytic, in search of, in quest of, on the lookout for, interrogative, zetetic, all searching, undetermined, untried, undecided, in question, in dispute, in issue, in course of inquiry, under discussion, under consideration, under investigation, sub judice, moot, proposed, doubtful, quaere?, what?, why?, wherefore?, whence?, whither?, where?, how comes it?, how happens it?, how is it?, what is the reason?, what's the matter?, nicht wahr?, what's in the wind?, what on earth?, when?, who?.