search

[[t]sɜ͟ː(r)tʃ[/t]]

♦♦

searches, searching, searched

1) VERB If you search for something or someone, you look carefully for them.

[V for n] The Turkish security forces have started searching for the missing men...

[V for n] They searched for a spot where they could sit on the floor...

[V for n] Nonetheless there are signs that both sides may be searching for a compromise. [Also V]

2) VERB If you search a place, you look carefully for something or someone there.

[V n] Armed troops searched the hospital yesterday...

[V n for n] She searched her desk for the necessary information...

[V prep] Relief workers are still searching through collapsed buildings looking for victims.

3) N-COUNT: oft N for n A search is an attempt to find something or someone by looking for them carefully.

There was no chance of him being found alive and the search was abandoned...

Egypt has said there is no time to lose in the search for a Middle East settlement.

4) VERB If a police officer or someone else in authority searches you, they look carefully to see whether you have something hidden on you.

[V n] The man took her suitcase from her and then searched her...

[V n for n] His first task was to search them for weapons.

5) → See also , strip-search

6) PHRASE: PHR after v, PHR n If you go in search of something or someone, you try to find them.

Miserable, and unexpectedly lonely, she went in search of Jean-Paul...

The law already denies entry to people in search of better economic opportunities.

7) CONVENTION (emphasis) You say `search me' when someone asks you a question and you want to emphasize that you do not know the answer. [INFORMAL]

`So why did he get interested all of a sudden?' - `Search me.'

Phrasal Verbs:

- search out

Syn:

no idea