inspected

Inspected is the past tense and past participle of the verb inspect. It describes something that has been examined carefully to determine its condition, quality, or authenticity. An inspection may be conducted for safety, compliance, verification, or quality control. When an item has been inspected, its status is often documented in a report, certificate, or clearance, and a subsequent decision such as approval, rejection, or further action may follow.

Originating from the Latin inspicere, meaning “to look into,” the word entered English via Old French and early modern usage. It is formed from the prefix in- with the verb specere, “to look,” and has retained a consistent sense of formal examination across domains.

Contexts and uses:

- Quality control and manufacturing: items are inspected to identify defects before release or sale.

- Safety and compliance: vehicles, machinery, buildings, and workplaces are inspected to meet regulatory standards.

- Customs and border control: goods and travelers are inspected to enforce laws and safety measures.

- Medicine and science: clinicians or researchers inspect patients, samples, or equipment as part of assessments.

- Information technology and data: reviews or audits may involve inspecting code, data sets, or configurations.

Common related terms include inspection (the process), inspector (the person performing the examination), and inspection report (the formal record). Inspected implies that the examination has been completed and that its findings have or will be acted upon within a given framework or standard.