hunt
UK: hʌnt | US: hʌnt
v. to chase and kill wild animals for food or sport
v. to search carefully for something or someone
n. an act of hunting; a systematic search
The word "hunt" originates from Old English huntian, meaning "to chase, capture, or pursue game." It is rooted in Proto-Germanic hunton and shares kinship with Old Norse hunta and Dutch honten. Unlike compound words, "hunt" is monomorphic—its core meaning has remained tied to the act of pursuit, whether literal (animals) or metaphorical (searching). The simplicity of its structure reflects its ancient Germanic origins, where short, action-oriented verbs were common.
The tribe would hunt deer for food during winter.
Police are hunting the escaped prisoner across the county.
She hunts for vintage clothes at thrift stores every weekend.
The hunt for the missing artifact lasted decades.
His job involves hunting down rare books for collectors.