search
UK: sɜːtʃ | US: sɜːrtʃ
v. to look carefully for something or someone
n. an act of trying to find something or someone
search = se<apart> + arch<rule, lead>
- se<apart>: From Latin se-, meaning "apart" or "away."
- arch<rule, lead>: From Latin arcere (to restrain) or Greek arkhein (to rule, lead). Over time, the sense shifted to "explore" or "seek out."
Etymology Origin:
The word "search" entered Middle English from Old French cerchier (to seek), which derived from Latin circare (to go around, explore). The Latin root circare itself comes from circus (circle), reflecting the idea of "looking around" or "examining thoroughly." The morpheme se- (apart) suggests a focused separation from the ordinary to find something, while -arch evolved from the notion of "leading" or "guiding" the process of exploration.
She searched her bag for the missing keys.
The police conducted a thorough search of the area.
He searched online for the best deals.
The hikers searched for a safe path down the mountain.
Scientists continue to search for answers to the mystery.