pəˈrüz verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English perusen, probably from Latin per- completely, thoroughly + Middle English usen to use — more at per- , use
transitive verb
1. : to examine or consider or survey with some attention and typically for the purpose of discovering or noting one or more specific points : look at or look through fairly attentively : go through : study
applicants should peruse the lists carefully — Official Register of Harvard University
as we peruse the course of history of civilized man — Sumner Welles
people who began by beholding him ended by perusing him — Thomas Hardy
perused the terms of the contract
2. : read
evenings spent in perusing the world's masterpieces — L.P.Smith
perusing the newspaper
specifically : to read through or read over with some attention and typically for the purpose of discovering or noting one or more specific points
thought something more might be learned by carefully perusing the letter she had written
perused the book in the hope of getting needed material for further research
intransitive verb
1. : to spend time in perusal : peruse something
have tried to peruse and learn all my life — Thomas Hardy
sat there perusing until he was ready to speak
2. chiefly dialect : to proceed somewhere and take a look around
let's go peruse down that draw — C.T.Jackson
• peruser noun -s