per-

1. Liable to be made uneasy or anxious: There were some conversations going on which had a perturbable effect on Jack and alarmed him to a great degree.
2. Able to be confused or unsettled: The sudden accident caused a perturbable result of disorder and bewilderment among those at the concert.

1. A careful reading of printed material: Manfred told his daughter that the book about healthy living deserved her perusal.
2. A detailed examination of things or issues: Richard told his parents that, for his birthday, he had a list of guests for their perusal to see if there were too many to invite.
3. Etymology: from Middle English per, "completely, throughly" + usen, "to use." © ALL rights are reserved.

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1. Normally to do something in a thorough or careful way: Gary continued to peruse the instruction book as he was setting up his computer for the first time.

It may be a losing battle; however, it is worth pointing out that peruse does not mean to look over casually, but to read or to examine carefully.

2. To examine in detail, in order to learn; to look at with attention: The teacher assigned the class to peruse the complex chapter carefully in the biology book.

The group of artists perused the paintings in the art exhibit.

4. To read carefully and with close attention, as a demanding or complicated text that requires concentration and effort: Andrew said he would sign the contract after his lawyers completely perused it in great detail, and found out if it was fair and worth paying for.
5. A term that some people consider to be pompous and stilted in business correspondence: Peruse shouldn't be used merely as a fancy substitute for read.

Some writers misuse the verb peruse as if it means "to read quickly" or "to scan", like the following example shows: Kevin took off his sunglasses and quickly perused or skimmed through the stack of documents, asked a few questions, and then signed several of them.

6. Etymology: from Middle English per, "completely, throughly" + usen, "to use." © ALL rights are reserved.

Go to this Word A Day Revisited Index
so you can see more of Mickey Bach's cartoons.

Relating to or descriptive of reading or examining something very carefully: "The perused report by Robert was sent to the head of the company."

The reading or studying of something carefully: "Gilbert's lawyer was reading the perusings of the prosecutor and the investigating detective before the trial would start."

To spread through or to be in every part of something or of people: Cruel wars have pervaded throughout centuries of history.

The feeling of doom pervaded the military when they realized that their enemy was attacking with such superior forces.

Characteristic of being wrong or different in a way which others feel is offensive, weird, or strange: Jim's aunt has a perverse fascination with going for walks even in the worst kind of weather. © ALL rights are reserved.

Go to this Word A Day Revisited Index
so you can see more of Mickey Bach's cartoons.