searching
/ˈsɜːrtʃɪŋ/
adjective
Origin
Old French
cerchier — to investigate, examine
Overview
Meaning Now
- Having a keen, penetrating, or investigative quality.
- Exacting or thorough in examination.
Language path
Proto-Indo-European → Latin → Old French → Middle English → English
Earliest form
sercher
Earliest period
14th century
Journey
The word stems from the notion of traversing in a circle or going around an area to find something. The shift from the physical act of 'going around' to the mental act of 'examining' occurred as the term integrated into legal and administrative English.
Evolution
- Late Latin
circare
“to go about, to traverse”
From 'circus' (circle, ring).
- Old French
cerchier
“to look through, to search”
- Middle English
serchen
“to seek, to explore”
- Modern English
searching
“penetrating, keen”
Development of the present participle as an adjective.
Connections
Word parts
search
root
to investigate
ing
suffix
forms present participle or adjective
Related across languages
French
chercher
to look for
Spanish
cercar
to enclose or fence
Explore next
Related to searching
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.