First Known Use: 1532
Dictionary
peruse
verb pe·ruse \pə-ˈrüz\
: to look at or read (something) in an informal or relaxed way
: to examine or read (something) in a very careful way
pe·rusedpe·rus·ing
Full Definition of PERUSE
transitive verb
1
2
: read; especially : to read over in an attentive or leisurely manner
— pe·rus·al \-ˈrü-zəl\ noun
— pe·rus·er noun
See peruse defined for English-language learners
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Examples of PERUSE
- To refresh my memory of the old days, I asked for some Dailies of the thirties from the morgue, sat down at the large round oak table at the end of the editorial room on the second floor, and began riffling through the musty pages. Soon a burly middle-aged man appeared and seated himself at the table to peruse some recent issues of the paper and take notes. —Arthur Miller, Timebends, 1987
- I've even found myself idly perusing the Yellow Pages, not frantic for a plumber, just browsing. —Lesley Conger, Writer, October 1968
- Bessie asked if I would have a book … , and I begged her to fetch Gulliver's Travels from the library. This book I had again and again perused with delight. —Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre, 1847
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Origin of PERUSE
Middle English, to use up, deal with in sequence, from Latin per- thoroughly + Middle English usen to use
Related to PERUSE
- Synonyms
- read, pore (over)
PERUSER Defined for Kids
peruse
verb pe·ruse \pə-ˈrüz\
pe·rusedpe·rus·ing
Learn More About PERUSE
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