n. [ F. serre a grasp, pressing, fr. L. sera. See Serry. ] The catch in a gunlock by which the hammer is held cocked or half cocked. [ 1913 Webster ]

Sear spring, the spring which causes the sear to catch in the notches by which the hammer is held. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Seared p. pr. & vb. n. Searing. ] [ OE. seeren, AS. seárian. See Sear, a. ] 1. To wither; to dry up. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To burn (the surface of) to dryness and hardness; to cauterize; to expose to a degree of heat such as changes the color or the hardness and texture of the surface; to scorch; to make callous; as, to sear the skin or flesh. Also used figuratively. [ 1913 Webster ]

I'm seared with burning steel. Rowe. [ 1913 Webster ]

It was in vain that the amiable divine tried to give salutary pain to that seared conscience. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

The discipline of war, being a discipline in destruction of life, is a discipline in callousness. Whatever sympathies exist are seared. H. Spencer. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Sear is allied to scorch in signification; but it is applied primarily to animal flesh, and has special reference to the effect of heat in marking the surface hard. Scorch is applied to flesh, cloth, or any other substance, and has no reference to the effect of hardness. [ 1913 Webster ]

To sear up, to close by searing. “Cherish veins of good humor, and sear up those of ill.” Sir W. Temple. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To sift; to bolt. [ Obs. ] Mortimer. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ See Sarse. ] A fine sieve. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. One who sifts or bolts. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A searce, or sieve. [ Obs. ] Holland. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To seek; to look for something; to make inquiry, exploration, or examination; to hunt. [ 1913 Webster ]

Once more search with me. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

It sufficeth that they have once with care sifted the matter, and searched into all the particulars. Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Searched p. pr. & vb. n. Searching. ] [ OE. serchen, cerchen, OF. cerchier, F. chercher, L. circare to go about, fr. L. circum, circa, around. See Circle. ] 1. To look over or through, for the purpose of finding something; to examine; to explore; as, to search the city. “Search the Scriptures.” John v. 39. [ 1913 Webster ]

They are come to search the house. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Search me, O God, and know my heart. Ps. cxxxix. 23. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To inquire after; to look for; to seek. [ 1913 Webster ]

I will both search my sheep, and seek them out. Ezek. xxxiv. 11. [ 1913 Webster ]

Enough is left besides to search and know. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To examine or explore by feeling with an instrument; to probe; as, to search a wound. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To examine; to try; to put to the test. [ 1913 Webster ]

To search out, to seek till found; to find by seeking; as, to search out truth. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- To explore; examine; scrutinize; seek; investigate; pry into; inquire. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. OF. cerche. See Search, v. t. ] The act of seeking or looking for something; quest; inquiry; pursuit for finding something; examination. [ 1913 Webster ]

Thus the orb he roamed
With narrow search, and with inspection deep
Considered every creature. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

Nor did my search of liberty begin
Till my black hairs were changed upon my chin. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

Right of search (Mar. Law), the right of the lawfully commissioned cruisers of belligerent nations to examine and search private merchant vessels on the high seas, for the enemy's property or for articles contraband of war. --
Search warrant (Law), a warrant legally issued, authorizing an examination or search of a house, or other place, for goods stolen, secreted, or concealed. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Scrutiny; examination; exploration; investigation; research; inquiry; quest; pursuit. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Capable of being searched. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Quality of being searchable. [ 1913 Webster ]