The word for today is…
peruse (verb) –
1a : to examine or consider with attention and in detail : study
b : to look over or through in a casual or cursory manner
2 : read especially : to read over in an attentive or leisurely manner
Source : Merriam -Webster
Etymology :Peruse can mean “to read something in a relaxed way, or skim” and can also mean “to read something carefully or in detail.” It is what is known as a contronym, a word having two meanings that contradict one another. Peruse has long been a literary word, used by such famous authors as William Shakespeare, Alfred Tennyson, and Thomas Hardy, and it tends to have a literary flavor even in our time. Peruse can suggest paying close attention to something, but it can also simply mean “to read.” The “read” sense, which is not especially new and was in fact included in Samuel Johnson’s 1755 dictionary, has drawn some criticism over the years for being too broad. Some commentators have recommended that peruse be reserved for reading with great care and attention to detail. But the fact remains that peruse is often used in situations where a simple “read” definition could be easily substituted.
If you enjoyed this BFD word of the day please consider sharing it with your friends and, especially, your children.
