Nearby Words
verb (used with object)
1.
to go or look through (a place, area, etc.) carefully in order to find something missing or lost: They searched the woods for the missing child. I searched the desk for the letter.
2.
to look at or examine (a person, object, etc.) carefully in order to find something concealed: He searched the vase for signs of a crack. The police searched the suspect for weapons.
3.
to explore or examine in order to discover: They searched the hills for gold.
4.
to look at, read, or examine (a record, writing, collection, repository, etc.) for information: to search a property title; He searched the courthouse for a record of the deed to the land.
5.
EXPANDto look at or beneath the superficial aspects of to discover a motive, reaction, feeling, basic truth, etc.: He searched her face for a clue to her true feelings.
6.
to look into, question, or scrutinize: She searched her conscience.
7.
(of natural elements) to pierce or penetrate: The sunlight searched the room's dark corners.
8.
to uncover or find by examination or exploration (often followed by out): to search out all the facts.
9.
Military. to fire artillery over (an area) with successive changes in gun elevation.
10.
COLLAPSEComputers. to examine (one or more files, as databases or texts) electronically, to locate specified items.
verb (used without object)
11.
to inquire, investigate, examine, or seek; conduct an examination or investigation.
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Searches
is always a great word to know.
So is callithumpian. Does it mean:
| a screen or mat covered with a dark material for shielding a camera lens from excess light or glare. |
| a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes. |
noun
Idiom12.
an act or instance of searching; careful examination or investigation.
13.
the practice, on the part of naval officers of a belligerent nation, of boarding and examining a suspected neutral vessel at sea in order to ascertain its true nationality and determine if it is carrying contraband: the right of visit and search.
14.
search me, I don't know: Why has it taken so long to reach a decision? Search me.
Origin:
1300–50; (v.) Middle English serchen, cerchen (< Anglo-French sercher) < Old French cerchier < Late Latin circāre to go around, derivative of Latin circus circle; (noun) Middle English serche < Anglo-French serche, Old French cerche, derivative of cerchier
1300–50; (v.) Middle English serchen, cerchen (< Anglo-French sercher) < Old French cerchier < Late Latin circāre to go around, derivative of Latin circus circle; (noun) Middle English serche < Anglo-French serche, Old French cerche, derivative of cerchier
Related forms
search·a·ble, adjective
search·a·ble·ness, noun
search·er, noun
out·search, verb (used with object)
pre·search, noun, verb (used with object)
EXPANDSynonyms
1. investigate. 2. inspect. 12. inspection, scrutiny.
1. investigate. 2. inspect. 12. inspection, scrutiny.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
search
early 14c., from O.Fr. cerchier "to search," from L. circare "go about, wander, traverse," from circus "circle." The noun is first recorded c.1400. Phrase search me as a verbal shrug of ignorance first recorded 1901. Search warrant first attested 1739. Search-light recorded from 1883.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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