undetected

Everyday

1. Not noticed, found or discovered. tree →
2. Not found by a test or a machine: «The illness went undetected.» tree →

In the lessons

In stories a spy, thief or hidden animal moves undetected; in science, tiny things may be undetected without a microscope. In health and safety, a leak or illness can go undetected for a long time, which is why tests and alarms matter. Phrases: «go undetected», «remain undetected», «slip past undetected».

Examples

• The cat crept past the dog undetected. tree →
• The spy slipped into the castle undetected. tree →
• A gas leak can go undetected without an alarm. tree →
• The tiny germs were undetected until the microscope was used. tree →
• His mistake remained undetected until the teacher checked. tree →
• The rabbit stayed undetected under the bush. tree →
• This was because he had no great opinion of the simple country deities, but thought that the thief would not pass undetected by the shrewder gods of the town. tree →

Note

Usually after verbs like go, remain, stay, slip: «went undetected». Opposite: detected, discovered. From detect (find, notice) + un- (not).