Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913

Search

Search , transitive verb

[Old English serchen, cerchen, Old French cerchier, French chercher, Latin circare to go about, from Latin 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. — Shakespeare
Search me, O God, and know my heart. — Bible (KJV) - Psalm 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.
Collocations (1)
To search out , to seek till found; to find by seeking; as, to search out truth.

Search , intransitive verb

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

Search , noun

[Compare Old French cerche. See Search, transitive verb]

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
Collocations (2)
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.