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peruse

[puh-rooz]
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verb (used with object), pe·rused, pe·rus·ing.
  1. to read through with thoroughness or care: to peruse a report.
  2. to scan or browse: The shoppers perused the magazines near the cash register while waiting to check out.
  3. to read.
  4. to survey or examine in detail.
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Origin of peruse

1470–80 in sense “use up, go through”; 1525–35 for current senses; per- + use
Related formspe·rus·a·ble, adjectivepe·rus·er, nounpre·pe·ruse, verb (used with object), pre·pe·rused, pre·pe·rus·ing.qua·si-pe·rus·a·ble, adjectivere·pe·ruse, verb (used with object), re·pe·rused, re·pe·rus·ing.un·pe·rus·a·ble, adjectiveun·pe·rused, adjective
Can be confusedperuse pursue
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

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British Dictionary definitions for peruse

peruse

verb (tr)
  1. to read or examine with care; study
  2. to browse or read through in a leisurely way
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Derived Formsperusal, nounperuser, noun

Word Origin

C15 (meaning: to use up): from per- (intensive) + use
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for peruse

v.

late 15c., "use up, wear out, go through," from Middle English per- "completely" (see per) + use (v.). Meaning "read carefully" is first recorded 1530s, but this could be a separate formation. Meaning "read casually" is from 19c. Related: Perused; perusing.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper