v. t. To sear; to dry up. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Ensear thy fertile and conceptious womb. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ OF. encerchier. See Search. ] To make search; to try to find something. [ Obs. ] -- v. t. To search for. [ Obs. ] Sir T. Elyot. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To make search after; to investigate or examine; to ensearch. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To search all over. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To be brittle when red-hot; to be red-short. Moxon. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Pref. re- + search: cf OF. recerche, F. recherche. ] 1. Diligent inquiry or examination in seeking facts or principles; laborious or continued search after truth; as, researches of human wisdom; to research a topic in the library; medical research. [ 1913 Webster ]

The dearest interests of parties have frequently been staked on the results of the researches of antiquaries. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Systematic observation of phenomena for the purpose of learning new facts or testing the application of theories to known facts; -- also called scientific research. This is the research part of the phrase “research and development” (R&D). The distinctive characteristic of scientific research is the maintenance of records and careful control or observation of conditions under which the phenomena are studied so that others will be able to reproduce the observations. When the person conducting the research varies the conditions beforehand in order to test directly the effects of changing conditions on the results of the observation, such investigation is called
experimental research or
experimentation or
experimental science; it is often conducted in a laboratory. If the investigation is conducted with a view to obtaining information directly useful in producing objects with commercial or practical utility, the research is called
applied research. Investigation conducted for the primary purpose of discovering new facts about natural phenomena, or to elaborate or test theories about natural phenomena, is called
basic research or
fundamental research. Research in fields such as astronomy, in which the phenomena to be observed cannot be controlled by the experimenter, is called
observational research.
Epidemiological research is a type of observational research in which the researcher applies statistical methods to analyse patterns of occurrence of disease and its association with other phenomena within a population, with a view to understanding the origins or mode of transmission of the disease. [ PJC ]

Syn. -- Investigation; examination; inquiry; scrutiny. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ Pref. re- + search: cf. OF. recerchier, F. rechercher. ] To search or examine with continued care; to seek diligently. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ Pref. re- + search. ] To search again; to examine anew. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who conducts research. In the field of scientific research, also called an investigator or scientist. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Making researches; inquisitive. [ R. ] Coleridge. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Seared p. pr. & vb. n. Searing. ] [ OE. seeren, AS. seárian. See Sear, a. ] 1. To wither; to dry up. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To burn (the surface of) to dryness and hardness; to cauterize; to expose to a degree of heat such as changes the color or the hardness and texture of the surface; to scorch; to make callous; as, to sear the skin or flesh. Also used figuratively. [ 1913 Webster ]

I'm seared with burning steel. Rowe. [ 1913 Webster ]

It was in vain that the amiable divine tried to give salutary pain to that seared conscience. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

The discipline of war, being a discipline in destruction of life, is a discipline in callousness. Whatever sympathies exist are seared. H. Spencer. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Sear is allied to scorch in signification; but it is applied primarily to animal flesh, and has special reference to the effect of heat in marking the surface hard. Scorch is applied to flesh, cloth, or any other substance, and has no reference to the effect of hardness. [ 1913 Webster ]

To sear up, to close by searing. “Cherish veins of good humor, and sear up those of ill.” Sir W. Temple. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. serre a grasp, pressing, fr. L. sera. See Serry. ] The catch in a gunlock by which the hammer is held cocked or half cocked. [ 1913 Webster ]

Sear spring, the spring which causes the sear to catch in the notches by which the hammer is held. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ See Sarse. ] A fine sieve. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To sift; to bolt. [ Obs. ] Mortimer. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. One who sifts or bolts. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A searce, or sieve. [ Obs. ] Holland. [ 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 ]

v. i. To seek; to look for something; to make inquiry, exploration, or examination; to hunt. [ 1913 Webster ]

Once more search with me. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

It sufficeth that they have once with care sifted the matter, and searched into all the particulars. Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]

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 ]

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 ]

n. (a) An apparatus for projecting a powerful beam of light of approximately parallel rays, usually devised so that it can be swiveled about. (b) The beam of light projecting by this apparatus. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

v. t. To cover, as a sore, with cerecloth. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Cerecloth. Mortimer. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Scorched; cauterized; hence, figuratively, insensible; not susceptible to moral influences. [ 1913 Webster ]

A seared conscience and a remorseless heart. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The state of being seared or callous; insensibility. Bp. Hall. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } a. [ OE. seer, AS. seár (assumed) fr. seárian to wither; akin to D. zoor dry, LG. soor, OHG. sorēn to wither, Gr. a"y`ein to parch, to dry, Skr. çush (for sush) to dry, to wither, Zend hush to dry. √152. Cf. Austere, Sorrel, a.] Dry; withered; no longer green; -- applied to leaves. Milton. [1913 Webster]

I have lived long enough; my way of life
Is fall'n into the sear, the yellow leaf. Shak. [1913 Webster]

a. Not searchable; inscrutable; hidden; mysterious. [ 1913 Webster ]

The counsels of God are to us unsearchable. Rogers. [ 1913 Webster ]

-- Un*search"a*ble*ness, n. -- Un*search"a*bly, adv. [ 1913 Webster ]

See accommodating.
See aching.
See ailing.
See aiming.
See alarming.
See altering.
See appreciating.
See approving.
See aspiring.
See assisting.
See attempting.
See attending.
See bearing.
See befitting.
See beginning.
See believing.
See bleaching.
See bleeding.
See blemishing.
See blenching.
See blossoming.
See blushing.
See boding.
See branching.
See breathing.
See burning.
See calculating.
See ceasing.
See changing.
See charming.
See communicating.
See complaining.
See complying.
See conceiving.
See conducing.
See confessing.
See conniving.
See consenting.
See considering.
See conspiring.
See consulting.
See consuming.
See contending.
See contriving.
See conversing.
See convincing.
See dawning.
See decaying.
See delaying.
See depending.
See derogating.
See deserving.
See desiring.
See despairing.
See detesting.
See deviating.
See differencing.
See discerning.
See discording.
See discriminating.
See disobliging.
See dispensing.
See dissembling.
See dissolving.
See distinguishing.
See distracting.
See disturbing.
See doubting.
See dreading.
See drooping.
See ebbing.
See echoing.
See edifying.
See ending.
See enduring.
See engaging.
See enjoying.
See entering.
See enterprising.
See entertaining.
See envying.
See existing.
See fadging.
See fading.
See fainting.
See faltering.
See fearing.
See feigning.
See fighting.
See fitting.
See flagging.
See flattering.
See flinching.
See folding.
See forbearing.
See foreboding.
See foreseeing.
See forgiving.
See giving.
See grudging.
See harming.
See heeding.
See hesitating.
See hoping.
See hurting.
See importing.
See imposing.
See improving.
See interesting.
See intermitting.
See intoxicating.
See inviting.
See jarring.
See laboring.
See lingering.
See listening.
See loving.
See meddling.
See meriting.
See mistrusting.
See moving.
See murmuring.
See obliging.
See observing.
See offending.
See opening.
See pardoning.
See paying.
See perceiving.
See performing.
See perishing.
See pitying.
See pleasing.
See possessing.
See preaching.
See prepossessing.
See presuming.
See pretending.
See prevailing.
See prevaricating.
See profiting.
See promising.
See proving.
See quailing.
See questioning.
See reasoning.
See recalling.
See reclining.
See recurring.
See referring.
See reflecting.
See refunding.
See refusing.
See rejoicing.
See relaxing.
See relishing.
See remembering.
See repenting.
See repining.
See reproving.
See repulsing.
See resisting.
See resolving.
See resting.
See returning.
See rewarding.
See sanctifying.
See satisfying.
See searching.
See seeing.
See setting.
See shrinking.
See sinking.
See sleeping.
See slipping.
See slumbering.
See speaking.
See stinting.
See stirring.
See stooping.
See submitting.
See sufficing.
See suiting.
See surging.
See suspecting.
See sweating.
See swerving.
See sympathizing.
See tasting.
See thriving.
See tiring.
See toiling.
See trading.
See trembling.
See trespassing.
See trifling.
See vacillating.
See varying.
See walking.
See wandering.
See waning.
See wasting.
See wavering.
See weeping.
See winking.
See winning.
See withdrawing.
See withering.
See wondering.
See working.
See writing.
See yielding.
----- and the like. [ 1913 Webster ]

The above classes of words are unlimited in extent, and such compounds may be formed by any writer or speaker at will from almost all the adjectives or participles in the language, excepting those which have a recognized and usual negative correspondent with the prefix -in. No attempt will be made, therefore, to define them all in this Dictionary; many will be omitted from its Vocabulary which are negations of the simple word, and are readily explained by prefixing a not to the latter. Derivatives of these words in -ly and -ness will also, for the most part, be omitted for the same or similar reasons. [ 1913 Webster ]

There will be inserted as separate articles with definitions, the following: -- [ 1913 Webster ]

1. Those which have acquired an opposed or contrary, instead of a merely negative, meaning; as, unfriendly, ungraceful, unpalatable, unquiet, and the like; or else an intensive sense more than a prefixed not would express; as, unending, unparalleled, undisciplined, undoubted, unsafe, and the like. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Those which have the value of independent words, inasmuch as the simple words are either not used at all, or are rarely, or at least much less frequently, used; as, unavoidable, unconscionable, undeniable, unspeakable, unprecedented, unruly, and the like; or inasmuch as they are used in a different sense from the usual meaning of the primitive, or especially in one of the significations of the latter; as, unaccountable, unalloyed, unbelieving, unpretending, unreserved, and the like; or inasmuch as they are so frequently and familiarly used that they are hardly felt to be of negative origin; as, uncertain, uneven, and the like. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Those which are anomalous, provincial, or, for some other reason, not desirable to be used, and are so indicated; as, unpure for impure, unsatisfaction for dissatisfaction, unexpressible for inexpressible, and the like. [ 1913 Webster ]

II. Un- is prefixed to nouns to express the absence of, or the contrary of, that which the noun signifies; as, unbelief, unfaith, unhealth, unrest, untruth, and the like. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Compounds of this last class are given in full in their proper order in the Vocabulary. [ 1913 Webster ]