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.
Phrases and idioms:
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.
Derivatives:
searchable adj. searcher n. searchingly adv.
Etymology: ME f. AF sercher, OF cerchier f. LL circare go round (as CIRCUS)