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Examine vs Identify - What's the difference?

examine | identify |

As verbs the difference between examine and identify

is that examine is to observe or inspect carefully or critically while identify is to establish the identity of someone or something.

examine

English

Alternative forms

* examin (obsolete)

Verb

(examin)
  • To observe or inspect carefully or critically.
  • He examined the crime scene for clues.
    She examined the hair sample under a microscope.
  • *
  • With fresh material, taxonomic conclusions are leavened by recognition that the material examined reflects the site it occupied; a herbarium packet gives one only a small fraction of the data desirable for sound conclusions. Herbarium material does not, indeed, allow one to extrapolate safely: what you see is what you get
  • To check the health or condition of something or someone.
  • The doctor examined the patient.
  • To determine the aptitude, skills or qualifications of someone by subjecting them to an examination.
  • To interrogate.
  • The witness was examined under oath.

    Synonyms

    * (l), (l)

    Derived terms

    * cross-examine, cross examine * examinable * examinee * examiner * examinership * examiningly * re-examine

    identify

    English

    Verb

  • To establish the identity of someone or something.
  • *
  • (biology) To establish the taxonomic classification of an organism.
  • *
  • To equate or make the same; to unite or combine into one.
  • * D. Ramsay
  • Every precaution is taken to identify the interests of the people and of the rulers.
  • * Burke
  • Let us identify , let us incorporate ourselves with the people.
  • (reflexive) To have a strong affinity (with); to feel oneself to be modelled on or connected to.
  • * 1999 , Joyce Crick, translating Sigmund Freud, The Interpretation of Dreams , Oxford 2008, p. 117:
  • The dream is given a new interpretation if in her dream she means not herself but her friend, if she has put herself in the place of her friend, or, as we may say, she has identified herself with her.
  • To associate oneself with some group.
  • *
  • To claim an identity; to describe oneself as a member of a group; to assert the use of a particular term to describe oneself.
  • * {{quote-magazine
  • , year=2010 , author= , title=Youth Who Self-Identify as Gay, Lesbian or Bisexual at Higher Suicide Risk, Say Researchers , date=Feb. 6, 2010 , magazine=Science Daily citation , passage="The main message is that it's the interface between individuals and society that causes students who identify as gay, lesbian, or bisexual the most distress," said study first author Yue Zhao. }}

    Synonyms

    * to ID