Ex-ăm'ine, v. t.
(egz-ăm'in), v. t. [imp. & p. p. EXAMINED; p. pr. & vb. n. EXAMINING.] [Fr. examiner, Pr., Sp., & Pg. examinar, It. esaminare, Lat. examinare, from examen, q. v.]
Sense 1. To test by a balance; to try and assay by the appropriate methods or tests, as a mineral, a chemical compound, and the like.
Sense 2. To inquire into and determine; to investigate the fact, reasons, or claims of; to discern or ascertain the truth of; to search out; to weigh or note; to ponder the reasons of; to consider the arguments for, or the merits of; as, to examine a ship to know whether she is sea-worthy; to examine a proposition or theory; to examine a difficult question.
Examine well your own thoughts. Chaucer.
Examine their counsels and their cares. Shak.
Sense 3. To try, as an offender; to test the attainments of, as a scholar; to question, as a witness; to interrogate; to prove by a moral standard.
The offenders that are to be examined. Shak.
Examine yourselves whether ye be in the faith. 2 Cor. xiii. 5.
Synonyms—Discuss; debate; scrutinize; explore. See DISCUSS.