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pore

1
[ pawr, pohr ]
/ pɔr, poʊr /
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verb (used without object), pored, por·ing.
to read or study with steady attention or application: a scholar poring over a rare old manuscript.
to gaze earnestly or steadily: to pore over a painting.
to meditate or ponder intently (usually followed by over, on, or upon): He pored over the strange events of the preceding evening.
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Origin of pore

1
1250–1300; Middle English pouren< ?

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH pore

pause, paws, pores , pours

Other definitions for pore (2 of 2)

pore2
[ pawr, pohr ]
/ pɔr, poʊr /

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

Origin of pore

2
1350–1400; Middle English poore<Late Latin porus<Greek póros passage; see emporium, ford

OTHER WORDS FROM pore

porelike, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use pore in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for pore (1 of 2)

pore1
/ (pɔː) /

verb (intr)
(foll by over) to make a close intent examination or study (of a book, map, etc)he pored over the documents for several hours
(foll by over, on, or upon) to think deeply (about)he pored on the question of their future
(foll by over, on, or upon) rare to look earnestly or intently (at); gaze fixedly (upon)

Word Origin for pore

C13 pouren; perhaps related to peer ²

undefined pore

See pour

British Dictionary definitions for pore (2 of 2)

pore2
/ (pɔː) /

noun
anatomy zoology any small opening in the skin or outer surface of an animal
botany any small aperture, esp that of a stoma through which water vapour and gases pass
any other small hole, such as a space in a rock, soil, etc

Word Origin for pore

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

Scientific definitions for pore

pore
[ pôr ]

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.
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.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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