INSPECTOR

Pronunciation (US):

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IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does inspector mean? 

• INSPECTOR (noun)
  The noun INSPECTOR has 2 senses:

1. a high ranking police officer

2. an investigator who observes carefully

  Familiarity information: INSPECTOR used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• INSPECTOR (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A high ranking police officer

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Hypernyms ("inspector" is a kind of...):

officer; police officer; policeman (a member of a police force)

Derivation:

inspectorship (the office of inspector)

Sense 2

Meaning:

An investigator who observes carefully

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Synonyms:

examiner; inspector

Context example:

the examiner searched for clues

Hypernyms ("inspector" is a kind of...):

investigator (someone who investigates)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "inspector"):

bank examiner (an examiner appointed to audit the accounts of banks in a given jurisdiction)

checker (one who checks the correctness of something)

scrutiniser; scrutinizer (a careful examiner; someone who inspects with great care)

canvasser; scrutineer (someone who examines votes at an election)

Derivation:

inspect (examine carefully for accuracy with the intent of verification)

inspectorship (the office of inspector)

 Context examples 

“What did you do then, sir?” asked the inspector.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Inspector Baynes’s small eyes twinkled with pleasure.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

“We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work,” said the inspector.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

“Why, that makes it as clear as crystal,” said the inspector.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Mr. Utterson and the inspector exchanged glances.

(The Strange Case Of Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

Think of Pluto, now in Capricorn, as the planet that comes into the basement of your house, a little like a building inspector, complete with flashlight and hardhat, to examine its foundations.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

This note went the round of the committee, and at last, after what appeared to me most tedious delay, formal leave was given me to better my condition if I could; and an assurance added, that as I had always conducted myself well, both as teacher and pupil, at Lowood, a testimonial of character and capacity, signed by the inspectors of that institution, should forthwith be furnished me.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

By the kindness of the Board of Trade inspector, I have been permitted to look over the log-book of the Demeter, which was in order up to within three days, but contained nothing of special interest except as to facts of missing men.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

Inspector Martin rose and touched his prisoner on the shoulder.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

“Why, sir, you’ve got me the very evidence I want,” said the inspector warmly, shaking my friend by the hand.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)