SEARCHINGS
Noun
searchings
plural of searching
Source: Wiktionary
SEARCHING
Search"ing, a.
Definition: Exploring thoroughly; scrutinizing; penetrating; trying; as, a
searching discourse; a searching eye. "Piercing, searching, biting,
cold." Dickens.
– Search"ing*ly, adv.
– Search"ing*ness, n.
SEARCH
Search, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Searched; p. pr. & vb. n. Searching.]
Etym: [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.
Search, v. i.
Definition: 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.
Search, n. Etym: [Cf. OF. cerche. See Search, v. t.]
Definition: 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.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition