expiscate

[ ek-spuh-skeyt, ek-spis-keyt ]

verb (used with object)

, Chiefly Scot.

, ex·pis·cat·ed, ex·pis·cat·ing.

1. to find out by thorough and detailed investigation; discover through scrupulous examination.

Other Words From

• expis·cation noun
• ex·pis·ca·to·ry [ek-, spis, -k, uh, -tawr-ee, -tohr-ee], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of expiscate¹

1605–15; < Latin expiscātus, past participle of expiscārī to fish out. See ex- ¹, pisci-, -ate ¹

Example Sentences

We may as well expiscate this point here.

From Project Gutenberg

Expiscate, eks-pis′kāt, v.t. to find out by skilful means or by strict examination.—n.

From Project Gutenberg

I am in a fair way to expiscate my family history.

From Project Gutenberg

He has no exculpatory witnesses; he has had no time to expiscate facts; the evidence for the prosecution is handed to him in court; and he can make only such observations as occur at the moment, knowing all the while that the prisoner's fate is already determined on.

From Project Gutenberg

Tom vanished, like Aubrey's apparition, with a melodious twang, and a perceptible odour of tar; and so, being determined to expiscate the matter, I proceeded towards the Broomielaw, and in due time became master of the locality of the Cat and Bagpipes.

From Project Gutenberg