■ verb ( past and past participle found )
1》 discover by chance or deliberately.
↘( ~ something out or ~ out about something ) discover information or a fact.
↘succeed in obtaining: he's struggling to ~ the money for the trip.
↘( ~ someone out ) detect someone in a crime or lie.
2》 identify as being present: vitamin B12 is found in dairy products.
↘discover or perceive to be the case.
↘ascertain by research or calculation.
↘ Law (of a court) officially declare to be the case.
↘( ~ against or for ) Law (of a court) make a decision against (or in favour of); judge to be guilty (or innocent).
3》 reach or arrive at by a natural or normal process: water ~s its own level.
↘( ~ one's way ) reach one's destination, typically without first knowing how to get there.
■ noun a discovery of something valuable or interesting, typically an archaeological one.
↘a person who is found to be useful or interesting.
Phrases
all found Brit. dated (of an employee's wages) with board and lodging provided free.
~ one's feet stand up and become able to walk.
↘establish oneself in a particular field.
~ it in one's heart to do [usu. with negative ] allow or force oneself to do.
Derivatives
~able adjective
Origin
OE ~an , of Gmc origin.