scrutinize

the verb 'scrutinize' originates from the late latin verb 'scrutinare', which itself derives from 'scrutari', meaning 'to search or examine', especially by rummaging through trash. this latin root is thought to be connected to 'scruta', meaning 'trash' or 'broken pieces', metaphorically referring to the act of sorting through rubbish to find something of value. the suffix '-ize', of greek origin, was widely adopted in latin and later english to form verbs indicating an action or process. thus, the literal sense of 'searching through fragments' evolved into the modern abstract meaning of conducting a minute and critical examination.

Structure: scrut(in) (to search) + ize (verb-forming suffix) scrut(in) is from latin 'scrutari' meaning 'to search, examine'. ize is a verb-forming suffix from greek '-izein', via latin '-izare', used to form verbs meaning 'to make, to do, to practice'.