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It is not only important, but, in a degree necessary, that the people of this country, should have an American Dictionary of the English language; for, although the body of the language is the same as in England, and it is desirable to perpetuate that sameness, yet some differences must exist. Language is the expression of ideas; and if the people of one country cannot preserve an identity of ideas, they cannot retain an identity of language. |
DETECT, v.t. [L., to cover.] Literally, to uncover; hence, to discover; to find out; to bring to light; as, to detect the ramifications and inosculations of the fine vessels. But this word is especially applied to the discovery of secret crimes and artifices. We detect a thief, or the crime of stealing. We detect the artifices of the man, or the man himself. We detect what is concealed, especially what is concealed by design.
Detected.
[Obs.] Fabyan. 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, 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. | ||||||||