Search, v. i.
To seek; to look for something; to make inquiry, exploration, or examination; to hunt. Once more search with me. Shak. It sufficeth that they have once with care sifted the matter, and searched into all the particulars. Locke.
2 other Webster entries under this spelling
Search, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Searched; p. pr. & vb. n. Searching.]
1. To look over or through, for the purpose of finding something; to examine; to explore; as, to search the city. "Search the Scriptures." John v. 39. They are come to search the house. Shak. Search me, O God, and know my heart. Ps. cxxxix. 23.
2. To inquire after; to look for; to seek. I will both search my sheep, and seek them out. Ezek. xxxiv. 11. Enough is left besides to search and know. Milton.
3. To examine or explore by feeling with an instrument; to probe; as, to search a wound.
4. To examine; to try; to put to the test. To search out, to seek till found; to find by seeking; as, to search out truth.
Syn. -- To explore; examine; scrutinize; seek; investigate; pry into; inquire.
Search, n.
The act of seeking or looking for something; quest; inquiry; pursuit for finding something; examination. Thus the orb he roamed With narrow search, and with inspection deep Considered every creature. Milton. Nor did my search of liberty begin Till my black hairs were changed upon my chin. Dryden. Right of search (Mar. Law), the right of the lawfully commissioned cruisers of belligerent nations to examine and search private merchant vessels on the high seas, for the enemy's property or for articles contraband of war. -- Search warrant (Law), a warrant legally issued, authorizing an examination or search of a house, or other place, for goods stolen, secreted, or concealed.
Syn. -- Scrutiny; examination; exploration; investigation; research; inquiry; quest; pursuit.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for search; he lists it under hunt.
Where he writes about it:
A chase or pursuit is after that which is fleeing or departing; a search is for that which is hidden; a hunt may be for that which is either hidden or fleeing; a search is a minute and careful seeking, and is especially applied to a locality; we make a search of or through a house, for an object, in which connection it would be colloquial to say a hunt. — from hunt
Hunt never quite loses its association with field-sports, where it includes both search and chase; the search till the game is hunted out, and the chase till it is hunted down. — from hunt
Figuratively, we speak of literary pursuits, or of the pursuit of knowledge; a search for reasons; the chase of fame or honor; hunt, in figurative use, inclines to the unfavorable sense of inquisition, but with more of dash and aggressiveness; as, a hunt for heresy. — from hunt