search

[[t]sɜrtʃ[/t]]

v. t.

1) to look through (a place, area, etc.) carefully in order to find something missing or lost

2) to examine (a person, object, etc.) carefully in order to find something concealed

3) to explore or examine in order to discover:

They searched the hills for gold[/ex]

4) to examine (a record, writing, collection, repository, etc.) for information:

to search a property title[/ex]

5) to look into, question, or scrutinize:

to search one's conscience[/ex]

6) to pierce or penetrate

7) to uncover or find by examination or exploration (often fol. by out):

to search out all the facts[/ex]

8) cmp to command software to find specified characters or codes in (an electronic file):

to search a database for all instances of “U.S.” and replace them with “United States.”[/ex]

9) to inquire, investigate, examine, or seek

10) cmp to find specified characters or codes in an electronic file by means of software commands

11) an act or instance of searching; careful examination or investigation

12) mil the wartime practice of boarding and searching any neutral vessel suspected of transporting contraband

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Etymology: 1300–50; (v.) ME serchen, cerchen (< AF sercher) < OF cerchier < LL circāre to go around, der. of L circus circle; (n.) ME serche < AF serche, OF cerche, der. of cerchier search′a•ble, adj. search′a•ble•ness, n. search′er, n.