Verb:DETECT

The DETECT verb is used primarily to find a trap on a container, such as a box, or on a locked door. This verb carries little to no risk to setting off a trap, and generally is used first, before the disarm verb to try to remove a trap.

>help detect

Usage:
    DETECT {container or door} - Attempt to find a trap on a closed and locked container or door
    DETECT {other target}      - Blink in surprise upon noticing someone or something
    DETECT {LEFT|RIGHT}        - Attempt to find a trap on or blink in surprise upon noticing the item in the specified hand

If a trap is found on a container or door, the DISARM verb may then be used to try to render the trap inactive.

>verb info detect
No match found.

DETECTing a box with a trap.

>detect my chest
You carefully begin to examine a scratched fel chest for traps...

At first glance, the fel chest appears to be covered with hundreds of tiny metal scales.  Closer examination reveals the "scales" to be razor sharp at the edges and possessing of a downward-facing needlelike tip.  However, you should be able to avoid cutting yourself if you are careful.

It looks like a fairly simple trap (about -102).

You still have a good enough picture of the trap in your mind, that you could try to disarm it.
Roundtime: 5 sec.

DETECTing a box with no traps.

>detect my chest
You carefully begin to examine an acid-pitted gold chest for traps...

You discover no traps.
Roundtime: 18 sec.

Examples of DETECT other than on containers and doors.

>detect <self>
Yep.  You're still here!
>detect backpack
You blink in surprise as though just becoming aware of a translucent spidersilk backpack's presence.
>detect gate
You blink in surprise as though just becoming aware of a wrought-iron gate's presence.