Ensearch v.

Obs. exc. arch. Forms: 4–5 encerche, 4–6 enserch(e, -searche, (6 ensertche), 6– ensearch. Also 6 inserch(e, -search(e. [ME. encerche(n, enserche(n, ad. OF. encerchier, enserchier, f. en (see EN-¹) + cerchier (Fr. chercher) to SEARCH.]

  1.  trans. To look carefully through (a country, place, book or document); to examine, pry into, scrutinize, search. Also fig.

1382.  Wyclif, Gen. xxxi. 37. Thou … hast enserchid alle my necessaryes of hows.

c. 1400.  Maundev., xxxi. (1839), 314. For to encerche tho Contrees.

c. 1449.  Pecock, Repr., I. xiii. 71. It is no nede me forto … encerche the writingis of Doctouris.

1531.  Elyot, Gov., II. ix. (1883), II. 110. He folowing with his swerde redy drawen wolde therwith enserche the bedde, cofers, and all other places of his chambre.

1563–87.  Foxe, A. & M. (1596), 965/2. Studiously to ensearch and peruse the places of holy Scripture.

1577.  Stanyhurst, Descr. Irel., in Holinshed, VI. Ep. Ded. If it shall stand with your honor his pleasure … at vacant houres to insearch it, you shall find therein [etc.].

1855.  Singleton, Virgil, I. 124. But to ensearch the cursed cold [soil] is hard.

  fig.  c. 1430.  Hymns Virg. (1867), 117. Graunte þat we may oure silf to enserche & se.

1537.  Inst. Chr. Man, M vj b. But if he diligently enserche his own harte.

1549.  Chaloner, trans. Erasm. Moriæ Enc., F iij b. An ungodly curiositee to ensearche the secrets of Nature.

1566.  Drant, Wail. Hierim., K vj b. Let us insearche and trye our selves, and turne to God againe.

1627–77.  Feltham, Resolves, I. xvii. 29. If we giue repulses, we are presently … insearched for the cause.

  2.  To seek for (a person or thing); to inquire after. Also with out.

1382.  Wyclif, Zeph. i. 6. Whiche souȝten … not the Lord nether enserchiden hym.

1436.  Pol. Poems (1859), II. 203. Pease men shulde enserche with besinesse.

1530.  Palsgr., Introd., 3. I dyd my effectuall devoire to ensertche out suche bokes.

1538.  Starkey, England, I. ii. 39. We must now seke out and enserch the veray true commyn wele.

  3.  To search into (facts, errors, etc.); to inquire into, investigate. Also with obj. sentence: To inquire.

c. 1400.  Prymer in Eng., in Maskell, Mon. Rit., II. 130. That thou enquere my wickidnesse and enserche my synne.

1530.  Tindale, Answ. More, IV. iii. Wks. III. 171. Then we will ensearch whether it may be a sacrament or no.

1541.  Elyot, Image Gou., 61. Than wolde he diligently ensearche, of what perfection their woorkes were.

1577.  Stanyhurst, Descr. Irel., in Holinshed, VI. 35. Cambrensis insearcheth diverse philosophicall reasons in finding out the cause.

1581.  W. Stafford, Exam. Compl., i. 13 a. Would ensearch y^e default & then certifie the good man of the house thereof.

  4.  intr. To make search; to inquire.

1382.  Wyclif, Deut. xix. 18. Whanne moost bisily enseerchynge thei fynden [etc.].

c. 1450.  Bk. Curtasye, 232, in Babees Bk. (1868), 306. Enserche no fyr þen falles to the.

1481.  Caxton, Myrr., III. x. 152. Tholomeus … was he … that most enserched of the sterres.

1494.  Fabyan, VI. clxxxv. 184. Enserchynge thorugh his landes for suche a knyght.

1533–4.  Act 25 Hen. VIII., c. 9 § 6. To enserch or make any inquerie thereof.

1587.  M. Grove, Pelops & Hipp., A viij. I wil that ye ensearch foorthwith, and it reueale to me.