v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Inspected; p. pr. & vb. n. Inspecting. ] [ L. inspectus, p. p. of inspicere to inspect; pref. in- in + specere to look at, to view: cf. F. inspecter, fr. L. inspectare, freq. fr. inspicere. See Spy. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. To look upon; to view closely and critically, esp. in order to ascertain quality or condition, to detect errors, etc., to examine; to scrutinize; to investigate; as, to inspect conduct. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To view and examine officially, as troops, arms, goods offered, work done for the public, etc.; to oversee; to superintend. Sir W. Temple. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. inspectus. See Inspect, v. t. ] Inspection. [ Obs. ] Thomson. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. inspectio: cf. F. inspection. ] 1. The act or process of inspecting or looking at carefully; a strict or prying examination; close or careful scrutiny; investigation. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

With narrow search, and with inspection deep,
Considered every creature. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The act of overseeing; official examination or superintendence. [ 1913 Webster ]

Trial by inspection (O. Eng. Law), a mode of trial in which the case was settled by the individual observation and decision of the judge upon the testimony of his own senses, without the intervention of a jury. Abbott. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. inspectivus. ] Engaged in inspection; inspecting; involving inspection. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L.: cf. F. inspecteur. ] 1. One who inspects, views, or oversees; one to whom the supervision of any work is committed; one who makes an official view or examination, as a military or civil officer; a superintendent; a supervisor; an overseer. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A police officer, typically holding a rank one below superintendent, and in some cases in charge of several precincts; as, inspector Clousseau is investigating the case. [ PJC ]

Inspector general (Mil.), a staff officer of an army, whose duties are those of inspection, and embrace everything relative to organization, recruiting, discharge, administration, accountability for money and property, instruction, police, and discipline. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Inspectorship. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Of or pertaining to an inspector or to inspection. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. The office of an inspector. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The district embraced by an inspector's jurisdiction. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A female inspector. [ 1913 Webster ]