investigator
UK[ɪnˈvɛstɪɡeɪtə]US[ɪnˈvɛstɪɡeɪtər]
n
a person whose job is to examine a crime, problem, statement, etc. in order to discover the truth.
n
a person who carries out a formal inquiry or investigation.
Morpheme Breakdown
in
vestig
ator
in
vestig
ator
Etymology
The word 'investigator' has a literal foundation in the act of following tracks. It originates from the Latin verb investigare, meaning "to track, trace, or search into". This verb itself is a compound of the prefix in- ("into") and vestigium ("footprint, track"). The core logic is of entering (in-) upon the traces (vestigium) left behind. Over time, this concrete imagery of physical tracking evolved into the abstract process of systematic inquiry. The suffix -ator was then added to form the agent noun, designating the person who performs this action of searching into evidence or facts to uncover the truth.
Analysis
Structure: in + vestig + ator
- in (Latin origin): A prefix meaning "in, into, on, upon".
- vestig (Latin origin): From vestigium, meaning "footprint, track, trace".
- ator (Latin origin): An agent noun suffix, meaning "a person or thing that does [the action]".
Examples
The police investigator carefully examined the scene for clues.
A private investigator was hired to gather more information.
The committee appointed an independent investigator to review the allegations.