search Hear it!

search Definition

search (sʉrc̸h)

transitive verb

  1. to go over or look through for the purpose of finding something; explore; rummage; examine to search a house for a lost article
  2. to examine (a person) for something concealed, as by running one's hands over the clothing, through the pockets, etc.
  3. to examine closely and carefully; test and try; probe to search one's conscience
  4. to look through (writings, records, etc.) to establish certain facts
  5. to find out or uncover by investigation: usually with out

Etymology: ME searchen < OFr cercher < LL circare, to go round, go about, explore < circus, a ring: see circus

intransitive verb

  1. to try to find something; make a search
  2. to examine data in a computer in order to locate items having a given property

noun

  1. an act of searching; scrutiny, inquiry, or examination in an attempt to find something, gain knowledge, establish facts, etc.
  2. the act of a belligerent in stopping and searching a neutral ship for contraband

search Related Forms
search′·able adjective search′er noun
search Idioms

in search of

making a search for; trying to find, learn, etc. by searching

search me!

☆ Slang

I do not know the answer to your query

search Synonyms

search

n.

exploration, quest, research; see hunt 2.

in search of

looking for, seeking, on the lookout for; see searching 2.

search Synonyms

search

v.

explore, examine, rummage, comb, ransack, look up and down, smell around, track down, look for, go through, cast about, beat about, poke into, grope in the dark*, scrutinize; see also hunt 2, seek 1.

search Law Definition

n

A police examination of a person’s physical body, property, abode, or other area where the person would have an expectation of privacy, in order to find incriminating evidence. For a search to be legal, there must be probable cause, because the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution prohibits unreasonable search and seizure.

v

To look for, as in the case of looking for evidence. See also frisk.
search Usage Examples

Object

  • database: Keyword Use a " keyword " to search the database.
  • catalog: Library Catalog You can search the library catalog by Title, Author, Keyword, ISBN, or Class.

Converse of object

  • perform: The best way to find a quote is to perform a search of the database.
  • conduct: Conduct a search on the Internet under ' curriculum vitae ' .
  • refine: The Europa search facility allows the user to refine the search processed or return to the original search form.

Adjective modifier

  • advanced: Advanced searching Click on the Advanced search menu option, or on Show advanced search at the top right of the search screen.
  • quick: Are you more likely to: give up after a quick search?

Modifies a noun

  • engine: What a blog does is allows you to create search engine friendly content on your topic of interest.
  • optimization: Here's the main points to great search engine optimization.
  • optimization: Like an Internet Marketing or search engine optimization campaign, pay per click advertising is a lot about getting the basics right.
  • result: A summary table of search results for the selected records is then returned.
  • ranking: Consequently, your site has a better chance to gain high search engine ranking.
  • facility: Each page has a handy search facility on the right hand side.

Noun used with modifier

  • keyword: A keyword search query facility is available on the home page.
  • google: Added a search page to search the entire web site using the google search engine.
  • literature: He ' logs on ' to his library website to conduct an online literature search.
  • job: Job Search Results Your job search has returned the following results.
  • Internet: Larsen ( 1997 ) is of the opinion that Internet search systems will evolve to meet the behavior of the average web searcher.

Preposition: by

  • keyword: The database may be searched by keyword or browsed by date or subject.
  • postcode: Search by postcode, place name, London streetname or grid reference.
search Quotes

  He who must search a haystack for a needle is likely to end up with the attitude that the needle is not worth the search.

—Jackson, Peter

Science is a search for truthöit is not a game in which one tries to best his opponent, to do harm to others.

—Pauling, Linus Carl

   Search me,O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

—Bible (Old Testament)

Then old age and experience, hand in hand, Lead him to death, and make him understand, After a search so painful and so long, That all his life he has been in the wrong. Huddled in dirt, the reasoning engine lies, Who was so proud, so witty, and so wise.

—Rochester,JohnWilmot, 2nd Earl of

Searchthescriptures;forinthemyethink yehave eternal life: and theyare they which testify of me.

—Bible (NewTestament)