source: Nyank0's Muses

SCRUTINIZE, SCAN, INSPECT, EXAMINE mean to look at or look over.

SCRUTINIZE stresses close attention to minute detail.

e.g. scrutinized the hospital bill

SCAN implies a surveying from point to point often suggesting a cursory overall observation.

e.g. scanned the wine list

INSPECT implies scrutinizing for errors or defects.

e.g. inspected my credentials

EXAMINE suggests a scrutiny in order to determine the nature, condition, or quality of a thing.

e.g. examined the specimens

verb with object

1. inspect (someone or something) in detail to determine their nature or condition; investigate thoroughly:

〈人が〉 «…がないかと» (細かく)〈物･人･事〉を調べる, 調査［検査］する «for» (!「調査する」の意味の最も一般的な語; ｟話｠ ではhave a look at, take a look atをよく用いる; → investigate, inspect) ; …を検討［吟味］する; 〖examine wh節〗 …かどうかを調べる, 検討する

e.g. a doctor examined me and said I might need a caesarean

e.g. this forced us to examine every facet of our business.

2. test the knowledge or proficiency of (someone) by requiring them to answer questions or perform tasks:

｟かたく｠ 〈人〉に «…の» 試験をする; 〖be ～d〗 〈人が〉 «…の» 試験を受ける «in, on» (!通例inは学科, onは専門内容について用いる)

e.g. the colleges set standards by examining candidates.

3. Law formally question (a witness) in court. Compare with cross-examine.

〘法〙 〈検事･弁護士が〉〈証人･被告〉を尋問する(→ crossexamine)

examinable |iɡˈzamənəb(ə)l| adjective

examinee |iɡˌzaməˈnē, eɡˌzaməˈnē| noun

Middle English: from Old French examiner, from Latin examinare ‘weigh, test’, from examen ‘examination’.