searce (sers)

[Formerly also searse, sarce, sarse; (with intrusive r, as in hoarse ), hair-sieve, searce, = Pg. sed aço, lawn for sieves, a sieve, bolter, = It. staccio, setaccio, a sieve, ML. setacium, setatium, setacius, sedacium, prop. setaceum, a sieve, prop. a hair-sieve, neut. (sc. cribrum, sieve) of * setaceus, of hair or bristles, p. 441. [Prov. Eng. or Scotch.] All the rest must be pa ed through a fine searce . The Counte of Kent's Choice Manual (1676). (Nares.) searce (sers), v . t .; pret. and pp. searced , ppr. searcing. [Formerly also searse , sarce , sarse ; sarcen , saarcen , sarsen , sas ser = It. stacciare , setaciare , sift; from the noun.] To sift through a searce. [Prov. Eng. or Scotch.] To sarse , syfte, and trye out the best greyne. Arnold's Chron ., p. 87. Bete all this smal, and sarce it smothe atte alle. Palladius , Husbondrie (E. E. T. S.), p. 202. Sublimate and crude mercury, sir, well prepared and dulcified, with the jaw-bones of a sow, burnt, beaten, and searced. B. Jonson, Cynthia's Revels, v. 2. searcer (sèr'sér), n. [Formerly also sercer; Milton , On Def. of Humb. Remonst. Tennyson, Day-Dream, L'Envoi. To search a meaning for the song. Enough is left besides to search and know. Milton , P. L., vii. 125. 6t. To reach or penetrate to. Mirth doth search the bottom of annoy. Shak., Lucrece, 1. 1109. = Syn. 1. To sift, probe. - 1 and 2. Search, Scrutinize, Explore. We search a place or search for a thing by looking everywhere with a close attention; we scrutinize a thing with a close attention, without emphasizing the idea of looking throughout; we explore that which is unknown and outside of our ordinary travels or knowledge. See examination. II. in trans. 1. To make search; seek; look: with for before the object sought. But euer Gris an dols serched thourgh the forestes, oon hour foreward, another bakke, that so endured viij dayes full. Merlin (E. E. T. S.), iii. 423. Satisfy me once more; once more search with me. Shak ., M. W. of W., iv. 2. 172. 2. To make strict or careful inquiry; inquire. Thou mayest do well enough in the next world, and be a glorious saint, and yet never search into God's secrets. Donne , Sermons, vii. [an never thinks of the beauty of the thought or language, but is for searching into what he calls the erudition of the author. Add is on, Ancient Medals, i.