perusal

Everyday

1. (formal) The act of reading something carefully and thoroughly. tree →
2. (formal, often in modern use) A quick look through something; reading it casually. tree →

In the lessons

A stiff formal word found in letters and documents: «for your perusal» means «for you to read». In stories it can give an old-fashioned or comic tone. Today, many people use it loosely to mean a quick read, though the older meaning is a careful read.

Examples

• The letter was left on the desk for her perusal. tree →
• After a careful perusal of the map, we found the hidden path. tree →
• «I enclose my homework for your perusal,» wrote Ben, trying to sound grand. tree →
• A quick perusal of the menu showed there was no pizza. tree →
• The teacher's perusal of our stories took all weekend. tree →
• The contract needs a full perusal before anyone signs it. tree →
• They were first brought to light, after a patient search and diligent perusal of ancient authors, by a Frenchman, M. tree →

Note

Noun from the verb «peruse» (to read carefully). Usually used with «for your perusal» or «a perusal of». Trap: some people think «peruse» means only «skim quickly»; dictionaries list both, but «read carefully» is the traditional meaning. Formal; everyday word: «read», «look».