search

n. [ Cf. OF. cerche. See Search, v. t. ] The act of seeking or looking for something; quest; inquiry; pursuit for finding something; examination. [ 1913 Webster ]

Thus the orb he roamed
With narrow search, and with inspection deep
Considered every creature. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

Nor did my search of liberty begin
Till my black hairs were changed upon my chin. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

Right of search (Mar. Law), the right of the lawfully commissioned cruisers of belligerent nations to examine and search private merchant vessels on the high seas, for the enemy's property or for articles contraband of war. --
Search warrant (Law), a warrant legally issued, authorizing an examination or search of a house, or other place, for goods stolen, secreted, or concealed. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Scrutiny; examination; exploration; investigation; research; inquiry; quest; pursuit. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Searched p. pr. & vb. n. Searching. ] [ OE. serchen, cerchen, OF. cerchier, F. chercher, L. circare to go about, fr. L. circum, circa, around. See Circle. ] 1. To look over or through, for the purpose of finding something; to examine; to explore; as, to search the city. “Search the Scriptures.” John v. 39. [ 1913 Webster ]

They are come to search the house. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Search me, O God, and know my heart. Ps. cxxxix. 23. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To inquire after; to look for; to seek. [ 1913 Webster ]

I will both search my sheep, and seek them out. Ezek. xxxiv. 11. [ 1913 Webster ]

Enough is left besides to search and know. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To examine or explore by feeling with an instrument; to probe; as, to search a wound. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To examine; to try; to put to the test. [ 1913 Webster ]

To search out, to seek till found; to find by seeking; as, to search out truth. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- To explore; examine; scrutinize; seek; investigate; pry into; inquire. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Capable of being searched. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Quality of being searchable. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. OF. cercheor inspector. ] One who, or that which, searches or examines; a seeker; an inquirer; an examiner; a trier. Specifically: (a) Formerly, an officer in London appointed to examine the bodies of the dead, and report the cause of death. Graunt. (b) An officer of the customs whose business it is to search ships, merchandise, luggage, etc. (c) An inspector of leather. [ Prov. Eng. ] (d) (Gun.) An instrument for examining the bore of a cannon, to detect cavities. (e) An implement for sampling butter; a butter trier. (j) (Med.) An instrument for feeling after calculi in the bladder, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Exploring thoroughly; scrutinizing; penetrating; trying; as, a searching discourse; a searching eye. “Piercing, searching, biting, cold.” Dickens. [ 1913 Webster ]

-- Search"ing*ly, adv. -- Search"ing*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Impossible to be searched; inscrutable; impenetrable. [ 1913 Webster ]