[as if ad. L. *expiscātiōn-em, n. of action f. expiscārī: see prec.] The action of expiscating or fishing out; the investigation or examination of or into (a matter).
1605. Chapman, Commend. Verses on B. Jonson’s Sejanus. The Castalian Head; In expiscation of whose Mysteries, Our Netts must still be clog’d, with heauy Lead, To make them sincke, and catche.
1753. Scots Mag., July, 364/2. There should be the fullest expiscation into the truth or falsity of these deeds.
1836. Caledonian Mercury, 29 Dec., 2/5. But the second occurrence—the total annihilation of the Tory projects in Britain—is of such vital consequence, that Lord Mahon, we presume, will dedicate a whole volume to the expiscation of its results.
1874. R. H. Story, W. Carstares, 183. Busied in the expiscation of the various machinations.
