inspection

noun: 1. the act of inspecting or viewing, especially carefully or critically: an inspection of all luggage on the plane. 2. formal or official viewing or examination: an inspection of the troops. 3. recognition of a familiar pattern leading to immediate solution of a mathematical problem: solve an equation by inspection. 4. a checking or testing of an individual against established standards. Examples: Close inspection of the candles revealed some small defects. Regular inspections are required of all restaurants in the area. Related Words: checkup, search, review, probe, supervision, surveillance, scrutiny, investigation, inquiry, analysis, survey, research, inquest, pageant, parade, scan, read, once-over, inquisition, inventory. Synonyms: observation, investigation, examination, scrutiny, audit, check, checkup, going-over, look-see, review, scan, survey, view. Synonym Study: Examination, inspection, scrutiny refer to a looking at something. An examination usually means a careful noting of details: A thorough examination of the plumbing revealed a defective pipe. An inspection is a formal and official examination: an inspection of records, a military inspection. Scrutiny implies a critical and minutely detailed examination: The papers seemed to be in good order, but they would not stand close scrutiny. Origin: 1350–1400; Middle English inspeccio(u)n < Latin inspectiōn- (stem of inspectiō). See inspect, -ion. Source 1, Source 2.