Verb

(en verb)

To clean, polish, or wash something by scrubbing it vigorously.

He scoured the burner pans to remove the burnt spills.

To remove by rubbing or cleansing; to sweep along or off.

He scoured the burnt food from the pan.

* Shakespeare

[I will] stain my favors in a bloody mask, / Which, washed away, shall scour my shame with it.

To search an area thoroughly.

They scoured the scene of the crime for clues.

(ambitransitive) To move swiftly over; to brush along.

* Alexander Pope

when swift Camilla scours the plain

* Dryden

So four fierce coursers, starting to the race, / Scour through the plain, and lengthen every pace.

(veterinary medicine) Of livestock, to suffer from diarrhea.

If a lamb is scouring , do not delay treatment.

(veterinary medicine) To purge.

to scour a horse

(obsolete) To cleanse.

* Francis Bacon

Warm water is softer than cold, for it scoureth better.

Verb

To encounter or discover by accident; to happen upon.

* Shakespeare

Searching the window for a flint, I found / This paper, thus sealed up.

* Cowley

In woods and forests thou art found .

To encounter or discover something being searched for; to locate.

*

, title=(The Celebrity), chapter=2 , passage=I had occasion […] to make a somewhat long business trip to Chicago, and on my return […] I found Farrar awaiting me in the railway station. He smiled his wonted fraction by way of greeting, […], and finally leading me to his buggy, turned and drove out of town.}}

* , chapter=10

, title= The Mirror and the Lamp , passage=It was a joy to snatch some brief respite, and find himself in the rectory drawing–room. Listening here was as pleasant as talking; just to watch was pleasant.}}

* {{quote-news, year=2011, date=January 25, author=Paul Fletcher, work=BBC

, title= Arsenal 3-0 Ipswich (agg. 3-1) , passage=Van Persie scored a hat-trick against Wigan on Saturday and should have found' the net again after Bendtner ' found him at the far post but the Dutchman's header rebounded to safety off the crossbar.}}

* {{quote-magazine, date=2013-07-20, volume=408, issue=8845, magazine=(The Economist)

, title= Welcome to the plastisphere , passage=Plastics are energy-rich substances, which is why many of them burn so readily. Any organism that could unlock and use that energy would do well in the Anthropocene. Terrestrial bacteria and fungi which can manage this trick are already familiar to experts in the field. Dr Mincer and Dr Amaral-Zettler found evidence of them on their marine plastic, too.}}

To point out.

To decide that, to discover that, to form the opinion that.

* Shakespeare

I find you passing gentle.

* Cowley

The torrid zone is now found habitable.

* {{quote-book, year=1922, author=(Ben Travers), title=(A Cuckoo in the Nest)

, chapter=1 citation , passage=“[…] the awfully hearty sort of Christmas cards that people do send to other people that they don't know at all well. You know. The kind that have mottoes

To determine or judge.

To arrive at, as a conclusion; to determine as true; to establish.

to find''' a verdict; to '''find a true bill (of indictment) against an accused person

* Shakespeare

to find his title with some shows of truth

To discover by study or experiment direct to an object or end.

Water is found to be a compound substance.

To gain, as the object of desire or effort.

to find''' leisure; to '''find means

To attain to; to arrive at; to acquire.

Looks like he found himself a new vehicle!

After a long flight, I now find myself in San Francisco.

(archaic) To provide for; to supply; to furnish.

to find food for workmen

He finds his nephew in money.

* London Times

Wages £14 and all found .

* Charles Dickens

Nothing a day and find yourself.