Search

v. t. [imp. & p. p. SEARCHED (sērcht); p. pr. & vb. n. SEARCHING.] [O. Fr. cercher, cerchier, cherchier, N. Fr. chercher, Pr. cercar, sercar, It. cercare, L. Lat. cercare, circare, to go about, seek, from Lat. circum, circa, around.]

1Sense 1. To look over or through, for the purpose of finding something; to examine by inspection; to explore.

They are come to search the house. Shak.

2Sense 2. To inquire after; to look for; to seek.

Enough is left besides to search and know. Milton.

3Sense 3. To seek the knowledge of, by feeling with an instrument; to probe; as to search a wound.

4Sense 4. To examine; to try or put to the test.

To search out, to seek till found; to find by seeking; as, to search out truth.

Synonyms—To explore; examine; scrutinize; seek; investigate; pry into; inquire.

v. i. To seek; to look; to make inquiry or exploration; to hunt.

Once more search with me. Shak.

It suffices that they have once, with care, sifted the matter, and searched into all the particulars. Locke.

n. [O. Fr. cerche, cherche, N. Fr. recherche. See supra.] The act of seeking or looking for something; quest; inquiry; pursuit for finding.

The orb he roamed with narrow search. Milton.

Nor did my search of liberty begin Till my black hairs were changed upon my chin. Dryden.

Right of search, the right of the lawfully commissioned cruisers of belligerent nations to examine and search private merchant vessels on the high seas, for enemy's property, articles contraband of war, &c.

Synonyms—Scrutiny; examination; exploration; investigation; research; inquiry; quest; pursuit.