v. & n.
v. 1 tr. look through or go over thoroughly to find something. 2 tr. examine or feel over (a person) to find anything concealed. 3 tr. a probe or penetrate into. b examine or question (one's mind, conscience, etc.) thoroughly. 4 intr. (often foll. by for) make a search or investigation. 5 intr. (as searching adj.) (of an examination) thorough; leaving no loopholes. 6 tr. (foll. by out) look probingly for; seek out.
n. 1 an act of searching. 2 an investigation. in search of trying to find. right of search a belligerent's right to stop a neutral vessel and search it for prohibited goods. search me! colloq. I do not know. search-party a group of people organized to look for a lost person or thing. search warrant an official authorization to enter and search a building. searchable adj. searcher n. searchingly adv.
[ ME f. AF sercher, OF cerchier f. LL circare go round (as CIRCUS) ]