A Word A Day : Rummage
Friday, 21st March 2008 : Today's Word is ...
Rummage
( Verb & Noun )
Past and past participle : rummaged
Present participle : rummaging
3rd person present singular : rummages
Pronunciation : rúm-mij
Definition : Verb
1. to make a rapid search for or through something by carelessly moving and disarranging things
2. to find something by searching
3. to make an energetic usually hasty search
Definition : Noun
1. a thorough search for or through something
2. a confusion of miscellaneous articles
3. a thorough search among a number of things
Etymology:
15th century - Old French arrumage - arrangement of cargo in a ship - run - ship's hold - Dutch ruim - space
Synonyms : Verb
comb, delve, dig out, disarrange, disarray, disorder, disorganize, disrupt, disturb, examine, explore, ferret out, fish, forage, grub, hunt, jumble, mess up, mix up, poke, rake, root, scour, search, seek, shake, shake down, spy, toss
Synonyms : Noun
coursing, exploration, field sport, following, frisking, game, hounding, hunting, inquest, inquiry, inquisition, interrogation, investigation, look-see, meddling, probe, prosecution, prying, pursuance, pursuing, pursuit, quest, race, raid, reconnaissance, research, rummage, scrutiny, search, seeking, sifting, snooping, sporting, steeplechase, study, tracing, trailing
Antonyms : Verb
order, organize
Antonyms : Noun
line, order, peace
Contextual Examples:
• She
rummaged through the drawer to find her favorite pen.
• I generally go on a cupboard
rummage after reading Pickwick.
• Now, I'll teach you to
rummage my bookshelves. For they are mine. All the house belongs to me or will do in a few years.
• It is the nightly custom of every good mother after her children are asleep to
rummage in their minds and put things straight for next morning.
Related Words:
•
rummager : Noun
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