Find1, v. t.
v. t. [imp. & p. p. FOUND; p. pr. & vb. n. FINDING.] [A-S., O. Sax., & O. H. Ger. findan, N. H. Ger. finden, M. H. Ger. & D. vinden, Dan. finde, Icel. & Sw. finna, Goth. finthan.] 1. To meet with, or light upon, accidentally; to gain the first sight or knowledge of, as of something new, or unknown, or unexpected; hence, to fall in with, as a person. I found this paper, thus sealed up. Shak. In woods and forests thou art found. Cowley. 2. To learn by experience or trial; to perceive; to experience; to discover by the intellect or the feelings; to detect; to feel. “I find you passing gentle.” Shak. The torrid zone is now found habitable. Cowley. 3. To come upon by seeking; to discover by sounding; as, to find bottom; to discover by study or experiment directed to an object or end; as, water is found to be a compound substance; to gain, as the object of desire or effort; as, to find leisure; to find time; to find means; to attain to; to arrive at; to acquire. Seek, and ye shall find. Matt. vii. 7. Every mountain now hath found a tongue. Byron.
- To provide for; to supply; to furnish; as, to find food for an army; he finds his nephew in money.
- To arrive at, as a conclusion; to determine as true; to establish; as, to find a verdict; to find a true bill of indictment.
To find out, to detect, as a thief; to discover, as a secret; to solve or unriddle, as a parable or enigma; to understand. Canst thou by searching find out God? Job xi. 7. We do hope to find out all your tricks. Milton. To find fault with, to blame; to censure.—To find one's self, to be; to fare;—often used in speaking of health; as, how do you find yourself this morning?