“search” – English explanatory dictionary

noun 1. the action of trying to find something ○ Our search of the flat revealed nothing. ○ They carried out a search for the missing children. ○ I did a quick search on the Internet for references to Proust. 2. the examination of records to make sure that a property belongs to the person who is trying to sell it ○ The solicitor’s search revealed that part of the drive belonged to the neighbouring farm. (NOTE: The plural is searches.) ■ verb 1. to examine something or someone very carefully ○ The police searched the house from top to bottom but still couldn’t find any weapons. ○ She was stopped and searched by customs. 2. □ to search for someone or something to try to find ○ The police searched for the missing children. ○ I searched the Internet for references to Ireland. □ to search through something to try to find something by looking through something carefully ○ She searched through her papers, trying to find the document.

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. “They are come to search the house.” Shak. “Search me, O God, and know my heart.” Ps. cxxxix. 23.
2. To inquire after; to look for; to seek. “I will both search my sheep, and seek them out.” Ezek. xxxiv. 11. “Enough is left besides to search and know.” Milton.
3. To examine or explore by feeling with an instrument; to probe; as to search a wound.
4. To examine; to try; to put to the test. To search out, to seek till found; to find by seeking; as to search out truth. Syn. — To explore; examine; scrutinize; seek; investigate; pry into; inquire.

v. i. To seek; to look for something; to make inquiry, exploration, or examination; to hunt. “Once more search with me.” Shak. “It sufficeth that they have once with care sifted the matter, and searched into all the particulars.” Locke.

n. [Cf. OF. cerche. See Search, v. t.] The act of seeking or looking for something; quest; inquiry; pursuit for finding something; examination. “Thus the orb he roamed
With narrow search, and with inspection deep
Considered every creature.” Milton. “Nor did my search of liberty begin
Till my black hairs were changed upon my chin.” Dryden. 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. Syn. — Scrutiny; examination; exploration; investigation; research; inquiry; quest; pursuit.