I. ˈsərch, ˈsə̄ch, səich verb
( -ed/-ing/-es )
Etymology: Middle English cerchen, serchen, from Middle French cerchier to travel through, traverse, survey, search, from Late Latin circare to travel through, traverse, from Latin circum round about — more at circum-
transitive verb
1. : to look into or over carefully or thoroughly in an effort to find something: as
a. : to go about or traverse in careful quest
searched the northerly slope of the hill … his eyes scanning every foot of the ground — O.E.Rölvaag
searching the woods for the lost child
b. : to look into with thorough scrutiny and rigorous objective examination
search me, O God, and know my heart — Ps. 139:23 (Authorized Version)
searching my conscience while I was compiling these criticisms of others — Elmer Davis
c. : to look through or explore thoroughly especially by checking on possible places of concealment or investigating circumstances possibly leading to something being overlooked
searching the apartment building for the suspect
his hand searching his pocket for a match — William Faulkner
— often used with through
searched through her handbag for a dime
d. : to peruse thoroughly and usually with a particular objective : subject to a careful check
search the records of the case
searching those works for a clue to their authorship
let him search the scriptures for consolation
especially : to examine a public record or register for information about
searching titles in the courthouse
e. : to examine (a person) thoroughly to check on whatever articles are carried or concealed
the police searched the suspect
f. : to look at fixedly in order to or as if in order to discover true intention, meaning, nature
searched him with a glance — George Meredith
2. : to uncover, find, or come to know by diligent persevering inquiry or scrutiny
as if to search and value every element in the conflict — Thomas De Quincey
— usually used with out
the broad principle of toleration … searches out and lays bare every insincerity — V.L.Parrington
3. : to probe or explore with a surgical instrument
doctors searching the wound
4.
a. : to play upon or surge against or over a particular area as though looking for a weak, vulnerable, or vital point : pierce or penetrate at an unprotected point
waves search the bases of the cliffs
b. : to distribute (gunnery fire) over an area ; specifically : to distribute (fire) by changes in elevation in gunnery with automatic weapons — compare traverse
intransitive verb
1. : to look or inquire diligently and carefully — usually used with for
searched long for the missing papers
2. : to examine, investigate, or explore usually with challenging or rejecting of a superficial or popularly accepted impression
I am a student … and search into all matters — Edna S.V. Millay
Synonyms: see seek
•
- search me
II. noun
( -es )
Etymology: Middle English serche, from Middle French cerche, from Old French, from cerchier
1.
a. : an act or the action of searching : an endeavor to find, ascertain, recover, or bring into view
a prolonged search for a lost will
b. : pursuit with a view to finding
went south in search of health
c. : a critical scrutiny or survey (as of a ship's cargo or baggage)
a customs search
especially : an act of boarding and inspecting a vessel on the high seas in exercise of right of search
d. obsolete : an examination of conscience
e. obsolete : research , investigation
2. : a person or party that searches
3. : power or range of searching and especially of penetrating ; also : a penetrating effect