pore

¹

[pawr, pohr]

verb (used without object)

pored, poring 

1. to read or study with steady attention or application.

   a scholar poring over a rare old manuscript.

2. to gaze earnestly or steadily.

   to pore over a painting.

3. to meditate or ponder intently (usually followed by over, on, orupon ).

   He pored over the strange events of the preceding evening.

   Synonyms: examine, peruse, scrutinize, ponder

pore

²

[pawr, pohr]

noun

1. a minute opening or orifice, as in the skin or a leaf, for perspiration, absorption, etc.

2. a minute interstice, as in a rock.

pore

¹

/ pɔː /

verb

1. (foll by over) to make a close intent examination or study (of a book, map, etc)

   he pored over the documents for several hours

2. to think deeply (about)

   he pored on the question of their future

3. rare,  to look earnestly or intently (at); gaze fixedly (upon)

pore

²

/ pɔː /

noun

1. anatomy zoology any small opening in the skin or outer surface of an animal

2. botany any small aperture, esp that of a stoma through which water vapour and gases pass

3. any other small hole, such as a space in a rock, soil, etc

pore

1. A tiny opening, as one in an animal's skin or on the surface of a plant leaf or stem, through which liquids or gases may pass.

2. A space in soil, rock, or loose sediment that is not occupied by mineral matter and allows the passage or absorption of fluids, such as water, petroleum, or air.

Other Word Forms

• porelike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pore¹

1250–1300; Middle English pouren < ?

Origin of pore²

1350–1400; Middle English poore < Late Latin porus < Greek póros passage; emporium, ford

Word History and Origins

Origin of pore¹

C13 pouren; perhaps related to _peer ²

Origin of pore²

C14: from Late Latin porus, from Greek poros passage, pore

Example Sentences

Decisions to pore over, front pages to splash, predictions to make.

Read more on BBC

At a grand piano in a hotel in Beverly Hills, as he plays us a piece he calls Goodbye, it's clear an artistic soul exudes from his every pore.

Read more on BBC

The final decision from the justices will come after what could be months of poring over the arguments and discussing the merits of the case.

Read more on BBC

Some of us are poring over newspapers or dreamily watching the countryside fly by.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

I pored through pattern books in fabric stores and haunted remnants counters, and was eager to snap up bargains.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal