~ 1
■ noun
1》 a soldier or other person sent out ahead of a main force so as to gather information about the enemy's position, strength, or movements.
↘a ship or aircraft employed for reconnaissance.
↘an instance of ~ing.
2》 (also Scout ) a member of the Scout Association.
3》 a talent ~.
4》 (also ~ bee ) a honeybee that searches for a new site for a swarm to settle or for a new food source.
5》 a domestic worker at a college at Oxford University.
6》 informal, dated a man or boy.
■ verb
1》 make a detailed search of a place.
↘explore or examine so as to gather information: they are keen to ~ out business opportunities.
2》 act as a ~.
Derivatives
~ing noun
Origin
ME: from OFr. e~er 'listen', earlier ascolter , from L. auscultare .
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~ 2
■ verb archaic reject (a proposal or idea) with scorn.
Origin
C17: of Scand. origin.