peruse
peruse
Pronunciation
/pəˈruːz/.
Here's a breakdown of the sounds by syllable:
puh:
/p/ - voiceless bilabial stop
/ə/ - mid central vowel (schwa)
rooz:
/r/ - alveolar approximant
/uː/ - close back rounded vowel (long)
/z/ - voiced alveolar fricative
Word Form Variations
"Peruse" is a verb, with various forms related to tense and aspect.
Here's a breakdown:
Base Form: peruse
Present Participle: perusing
Past Simple: perused
Past Participle: perused
Third Person Singular Present: peruses
There isn't a distinct singular or plural form for verbs themselves. Nouns are the word class that typically have singular and plural variations (e.g., cat/cats).
While "peruse" itself doesn't have a noun form, there is a related noun:
perusal (meaning the act of perusing)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Verb
Definition 1: To read or examine something carefully and with attention to detail.
Synonyms: study, scrutinize, inspect, pore over, analyze
Antonyms: skim, glance at, disregard, ignore
Definition 2: To read something in a leisurely or casual manner.
Synonyms: browse, skim, scan, dip into
Antonyms: study, scrutinize, analyze
Noun (perusal)
Definition: The act of perusing something, or an instance of reading or examining something carefully.
Synonyms: examination, inspection, scrutiny, study
Antonyms: glance, glimpse, disregard
It's important to note that "peruse" is a contraronym, meaning it has two contradictory meanings. This can sometimes cause confusion, so it's helpful to consider the context in which the word is used to determine its intended meaning.
Examples of Use
Books:
Fiction: "He leaned back in his leather armchair and began to peruse the first edition of 'Moby Dick,' his fingers tracing the embossed cover." (Example in a fictional novel)
Non-Fiction: "Scholars continue to peruse ancient manuscripts in search of clues to the origins of language." (Example in a historical text)
Newspapers:
"The lawyer perused the legal documents, searching for any loopholes that could benefit his client." (The New York Times - hypothetical example)
"Shoppers perused the holiday displays, looking for the perfect gifts for their loved ones." (Chicago Tribune - hypothetical example)
Online Publications:
"Peruse our website to find a wide selection of articles and resources on sustainable living." (Blog post on EcoLiving.com - hypothetical example)
"Before making a purchase, peruse online reviews to get an idea of the product's quality and performance." (Article on ConsumerReports.org - hypothetical example)
Entertainment:
Movie: In the film "The Da Vinci Code," the protagonist Robert Langdon peruses ancient texts and symbols to unravel a mystery.
TV Show: A character in a legal drama might peruse case files late into the night, preparing for a trial.
Video Game: In many role-playing games, players can peruse in-game books and scrolls to learn about the game's lore and history.
General Public Discourse:
"I spent the afternoon perusing the shelves at the local bookstore." (Casual conversation)
"Please take some time to peruse the meeting agenda before we begin." (Formal meeting)
10 Famous Quotes Using Peruse
"We do not merely peruse books; we let them shape our minds and souls." – Ralph Waldo Emerson
"Peruse history carefully, for it often repeats itself in ways we fail to recognize." – Winston Churchill
"A wise person does not just read but peruses every word with intent and understanding." – Confucius
"When you peruse the words of the great thinkers, you inherit their wisdom without the scars of their struggle." – Marcus Aurelius
"To peruse a contract without truly understanding it is to gamble with your future." – Anonymous
"One does not simply peruse poetry; one must let it sink into the soul." – Robert Frost
"Great leaders peruse the fine print before signing any deal." – Warren Buffett
"Peruse the past, but do not dwell in it—life moves forward." – Eleanor Roosevelt
"In an age of information overload, we must peruse wisely and not consume mindlessly." – Neil Postman
"If you only peruse what confirms your beliefs, you will never grow beyond them." – Carl Sagan
Etymology
Imagine "peruse" as a word with a bit of an identity crisis! It started its life meaning something quite different from how we use it today.
Way back in the 15th century, "peruse" came from the Middle English word "perusen." This was formed by combining the Latin prefix "per-" (meaning "thoroughly") with the Middle English word "usen" (meaning "to use"). So, originally, "peruse" meant "to use up" or "to go through." Think of it like carefully using up all the ingredients in your pantry.
Over time, "peruse" shifted its meaning. People started using it to describe the act of examining something carefully, like reading a document from beginning to end. This makes sense, as thoroughly going through something is similar to using it completely.
However, here's where the "identity crisis" comes in. Nowadays, "peruse" can also mean to read something casually or even skim it! This is the opposite of its original meaning and even its more common meaning of careful examination.
So, "peruse" is a word with a history of change. It evolved from "using up" to "examining carefully" and now can even mean "to skim." This makes it a bit of a tricky word, but understanding its journey helps us appreciate its flexibility and how language evolves over time.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Peruse
Lesser-Known Phrases:
"Peruse with pleasure": This emphasizes enjoying the act of reading or examining something.
"Peruse at leisure": This suggests taking one's time to read or examine something without rushing.
Original Phrases:
"Peruse the possibilities": This encourages exploring different options or choices.
"Peruse the past": This suggests examining history or reflecting on previous experiences.
"Peruse with a critical eye": This implies reading or examining something with careful attention to detail and judgment.
Idioms with Synonyms:
"Pour over the details": This idiom with the synonym "pour over" conveys a similar meaning to "peruse" in the sense of examining something carefully.
"Devour the pages": This idiom with the synonym "devour" emphasizes reading something eagerly and with great interest.
"Have one's nose in a book": This idiom captures the image of someone deeply engrossed in reading, similar to perusing a book.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of peruse from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
