Find v.

Pa. t. and pple. found. Forms: α. 1. find-an, 2–4 find-en, 3–7 finde, fynd(e(n, 2–4 south. vinde, vynde, (2 fundan, 3 findin, feind, 5 fende, fyne, 9 dial. fine, Sc. and north. 3–9 fin, 4–5 fon(d), 3– find. β. 1 ȝefindan, 2–3 ifinden, south. ivinden, 4 ifind, yfynde. Pa. t. sing. α. I fand, also wk. form funde, 4 south. vand, 3–4 faand, 1–5 fond, (3–5 fonde, 3 south. vond, 4–5 foond, 3–5 fande, funde, 5 faunde, 6 fund), 3–6 founde, 5– found, (4 fon, funn, 5 fune, 5–8 Sc. fand, 9 dial. fan), β. 2–3 ȝe-, ifund(e, south. ivunde, 3 ifond, -nt. south. ivond, 5 yfonde, 3–5 i-, yfound(e. pl. 1 fundon, (2 fyndon), 2–4 -en, 3–7 founden, (4 found-, fundyn, 6 Sc. fundin), 4–5 fonden, 3–5 founde, 5– found, Sc. 4– fand, (9 dial. fant). β. 2–3 ifunden. Pa. pple. α. 1–5 funden, (3 fundun), 4–6 founde, (4 fownde, 4–5 founden, fond(en, -in, -yn), 5– found; (also 4 fonte, 5 fon, 8 dial. fawnd, Sc. 4–6 fundin, -yn, 6 -ing, 4–9 fun, 9 fan, fund). β. 1 ȝefunden, 3 ifonden, ifunde(n, 4 yfounde(n, south. yvonde. [A Com. Teut. str. vb.: OE. findan (pa. t. fand, fǫnd, pl. fundon, pa. pple. funden) = OFris. finda, OS. findan, fîthan (MDu., Du. vinden), OHG. findan (MHG. vinden, mod.G. finden), ON. finna (Sw. finna, Da. finde), Goth. finþan, f. Teut. root *finþ-:—pre-Teut. *pent- whence OIrish étaim I find.

  Some regard this pent- as a nasalized form (with an n originally belonging to the present stem only) of the root pet- of L. petĕre to seek, aim at. Others would identify it with the widely represented Indo-European root pent* (:pont- pṇt-) to go, journey, whence OTeut. *fanþjon (OHG. fendo, OE. féða) footsoldier, pedestrian; on this supposition the development of sense is similar to that of L. invenīre to come upon, to find.

  The OTeut. conjugation, finþan, fanþ-, fundumês, fundono- (Goth. funþum, funþans are due to the analogy of the forms with þ), should by phonetic law have yielded OE. *fîðtan, *fóð, fundon, funden; as this would have been an apparently unique ablaut-series the vb. was naturally affected by the analogy of vbs. like bindan, grindan, windan. For the short forms fin, fan, fun (chiefly Sc.) and for the survival of fand as pa. t. cf. remarks on BIND.]

  I.  To come upon by chance or in the course of events.

  1.  trans. To come across, fall in with, meet with, light upon. Primarily of persons, and implying perception of the object encountered; hence of things viewed as agents.

Beowulf, 2126 (Gr.). Ic … grund-hyrde fond.

a. 1000.  Boeth. Metr., xiii. 38. Seo leo … Nimð eall ðæt hio fint.

c. 1175.  Lamb. Hom., 83. Þe sunne scineð þurh þe glesne ehþurl … and ho nimeð al swuch hou alse ho þer on uint. Ibid., 107. He mei findan fele þe beoð bet iþoȝen and istoȝen þene he.

c. 1205.  Lay., 12303.

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 1183 (Cott.).

c. 1394.  P. Pl. Crede, 631. Whoso for-gabbed a frere · y-founden at þe stues.

c. 1400.  Maundev. (Roxb.), viii. 29. In þat ryuer er oft tymes funden many precious stanes.

c. 1489.  Caxton, Sonnes of Aymon, xxiv. 526. Men shold fynde in the worlde but fewe suche knyghtes as he is one.

1513.  Douglas, Æneis, VIII. ii. heading.

1660.  Boyle, New Exp. Phys. Mech., xxxv. (1632), 138. Which impels the water it findes in its way to the cavity deserted by the other Air.

1705.  Addison, Italy, Preface. There are many new Subjects that a Traveller may find to employ himself upon.

1883.  Century Mag., XXVI. 911/2. They might find traces of European sojourn on the island, and perhaps some hint by which they could profit when they set sail again.

  absol.  1340.  Ayenb., 38. Yef þe vinst and naȝt ne yelst: þou hit stelst.

1611.  Bible, John xxi. 6. And he said vnto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and yee shall finde. They cast therfore, and now they were not able to draw it, for the multitude of fishes.

  b.  with † obj. and inf.; or with obj. and compl.

a. 1000.  Juliana, 364 (Gr.). Ic hine finde    ferð staðelian.

c. 1275.  The Passion of our Lord, 325, in O. E. Misc., 46. Þesne mou we funde vorbeoden vre lawe.

c. 1340.  Cursor M., 6827 (Trin.). Þin enemyes beest þou fyndes o stray.

c. 1385.  Chaucer, L. G. W., 1798, Lucretia. Ryghte as a wolfe that fynt a lamb allone.

c. 1450.  Merlin, 4. Thanne come this feende to a feire sone that he hadde, and hym straungeled in his bedde slepynge, so that on the morowe he was founden dede.

1552.  Lyndesay, Monarche, 5516.

1670.  Lady M. Bertie, in 12th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm., App. V. 21. I … could not find her at hom.

1826.  J. Wilson, Noct. Ambr., Wks. 1855, I. 179. He has played wallop into the water, or is aiblins been fun’ lyin in the middle o’ the road, wi’ his neck dislocate.

  c.  To meet with in records. † Also absol.

c. 1175.  Lamb. Hom., 47. Leofemen we uindeð in halie boc þet ieremie þe prophete stod in ane putte and þet in þe uenne up to his muðe.

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 356 (Cott.).

c. 1340.  Richard Rolle of Hampole, Prick of Conscience, 7175.

c. 1400.  Destr. Troy, 13494.

1678.  Abp. Sancroft, in D’Oyly, Life (1821), II. 406. There we find the holy man in a great strait of affliction; wandering like an exile, or banditto, in the wilderness of Engedi.

1712.  Addison, Spect., No. 415, 26 June, ¶ 3. We find Semiramis leading her three Millions to the Field.

1861.  M. Pattison, Ess. (1889), I. 54. In 1276, we find the Emperor and the King of England in constant communication.

  d.  To come upon, begin acquaintance with or operation upon (any object), when it is in a specified condition; often contrasted with leave.

c. 1460.  Towneley Myst. (Surtees), 59.

a. 1568.  Ascham, Scholem. (Arb.), 133. He found that Colledge spending scarse two hundred markes by [the] yeare: he left it spending a thousand markes and more.

a. 1656.  Bp. Hall, Rem., Wks. (1660), 179–80. Affliction never leaves us as it findes us: if we be not better for our mourning, we are the worse.

1784.  Cowper, Task, III. 386.

1827.  Examiner, 481/1. They can only administer the law as they find the law.

1884.  Gladstone, in Standard, 29 Feb., 2/6. That is the state of things we found established.

  2.  To discover the whereabouts of (something hidden or not previously observed); sometimes with implied notion of picking up or carrying off. Cf. 9.

c. 1250.  Gen. & Ex., 1878.

a. 1572.  Knox, Hist. Ref., Wks. (1846), I. 360. The multitude had fundin, bureid in the Kirk, a great number of idollis, hid of purpose to have preserved thame to a bettir day.

1656.  Cowley, Misc., Gold, 11. A curse on him who found the Oare!

Mod.  I found a shilling on the floor.

  3.  To meet with, come to have, obtain, receive, get (chiefly, something desirable or needful). To find favour, grace, mercy: see the sbs. To find one’s account in (something): to receive advantage from (a course of action), to experience to be profitable (= Fr. trouver son compte).

a. 1000.  Cædmon’s Gen., 1456 (Gr.). Heo … no … reste fand.

c. 1230.  Hali Meid., 7. Swuch swetnesse þu schalt ifinden in his luue.

c. 1374.  Chaucer, Anel. & Arc., 106. Hir fredome fonde Arcyte in suche maner.

c. 1475.  Rauf Coilȝear, 294. The worthie harberie that I haue fundin heir.

1581.  J. Bell, Haddon’s Answ. Osor., 380 b. What heresy [was ever] so absurde, that found not creditte, and fawnyng fawtours somewhere?

1596.  Dalrymple, trans. Leslie’s Hist. Scot., II. (1887), 169. King Mogal now findeng occasioune to win honour and gloir throuch martial deides, blythlie he apprehendes it.

1611.  Bible, Transl. Pref., 1. Zeale to promote the common good … deserueth certainly much respect and esteeme, but yet findeth but cold intertainment in the world.

1737.  H. Bracken, Farriery Impr. (1757), II. 231. It is my Practice to administer Opiates intermix’d with Diuretics, and have always found my Account in such Method.

1767.  Blackstone, Comm., II. 369. Upon a petition preferred to the lord in his court baron the party grieved shall find remedy.

1781.  Cowper, Charity, 557.

1813.  Macaulay, Epitaph on Henry Martyn.

1853.  F. W. Newman, Odes of Horace, Preface, p. v. I avow myself to despair of finding readers among those who seek solely for amusement.

1861.  M. Pattison, Ess. (1889), I. 46–7. Such commodities, however, as these found little market as yet in a barbarous country like England.

  absol.  1611.  Bible, Job xxxiv. 11. For the worke of a man shall he render vnto him, and cause euery man to finde according to his wayes.

  † b.  with inf. as obj. Obs. rare.

1375.  Cantic. de Creatione, 851, in Anglia, I.

  4.  To gain or recover the use of (one’s limbs, powers, etc.). To find one’s feet: lit. of a child: To be able to stand; fig. to become conscious of or develop one’s powers. Cf. FEEL v. 6 d.

a. 1535.  More, Wks., 1254. The bitch had founde the foote agayn: and on she came.

1593.  Shaks., 2 Hen. VI., II. i. 147. We must haue you finde your Legges. Sirrha Beadle, whippe him till he leape ouer that same Stoole.

1642.  Fuller, Holy & Prof. St., V. xix. 438. They thought it high time for the Cow to find her horns.

1667.  Milton, P. L., VIII. 97. His [the Sun’s] beams, unactive else, thir vigor find.

1673.  Ess. Educ. Gentlewom., 26. Teach Tongues to Children, whilst carried in Arms; who perhaps, when they find their own feet, will not abide the tedium of a School.

1827.  Keble, Chr. Y., 23 Trin. xi.

1863.  Holme Lee, B. Godfrey, I. ii. 19. It is four years since you ran away—Olive was just beginning to find her feet, and Mervyn was baby.

  5.  To discover or perceive on inspection or consideration; to perceive or recognize the presence of. Sometimes approximating to the sense of Fr. trouver: To consider (a quality, circumstance) to be present. To find fault: see FAULT sb. 6.

1382.  Wyclif, Luke xxiii. 4. I fynde no thing of cause in this man.

c. 1400.  Maundev. (Roxb.), vii. 25. Euermare in þe middes of þam es funden þe figure of þe crosse.

1486.  Bk. St. Albans, E j b. Ther in fyndyn wee suche dyuersite.

1553.  T. Wilson, Rhet. (1580), Prol. A iv b. Malitious folke, that love to finde faults in other mennes matters.

1735.  Berkeley, Def. Free-thinking in Math., § 30. I find no sense or reason in what you say.

1848.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., I. 354. Nor did the world find anything ludicrous in the pomp which constantly surrounded him.

  b.  with complement or infinitive.

c. 1200.  Trin. Coll. Hom., 87. And cumeð þerto [the huse] and fint hit emti.

13[?].  E. E. Allit. P., A. 870.

c. 1380.  Sir Ferumb., 522. Or we departye henne; al hool þou schalt me vynde.

1597.  Montgomerie, Cherrie & Slae, 1255.

1794.  Ramsay, Tea-t. Misc. (1733), I. 34.

1879.  Geo. Eliot, Coll. Breakf. P., 292.

  c.  refl. To perceive oneself to be in a specified place or position, or condition of body or mind. Also in weaker sense: To come to be (in the course of events). How do you find yourself? how are you? Cf. Fr. se trouver, Ger. sich befinden.

c. 1386.  Chaucer, Pard. Prol., 385.

1447.  Bokenham, Seyntys (Roxb.), 26.

c. 1489.  Caxton, Blanchardyn and Eglantine, ii. 14. Blanchardyn fonde hym self in aduyses wyth his mayster, walkynge wythin the paleys.

1600.  Fairfax, Tasso, XV. lii. 277. Till on the mountaines top themselues they fand.

1633.  Bp. Hall, Hard Texts, 212. Doe not ye finde your selves perplexed herein.

1692.  R. L’Estrange, Fables, xcv. 89. Pray, Sir, How d’ ye Find your self? says the Dr. to his Patient.

1791.  Mrs. Radcliffe, The Romance of the Forest, xii. Tell me how you find yourself?

1816.  J. Scott, Vis. Paris, 43. He knew but one side of every question, and he was as positive as if he had spent his life in impartial examination; he had provided for nothing, but he was quite sure of finding himself comfortable in every thing.

1823.  F. Clissold, Ascent of Mont Blanc, 21. We found ourselves opposed by a parapet of congealed snow, about eight feet high, and of the hardness of ice.

1873.  Black, Pr. Thule, xii. 183. Lavender found himself, with Sheila on his arm, entering a drawing-room to present her to certain of his friends.

  6.  To discover, come to the knowledge of (a fact or state of things) by experience or trial. Const. with simple obj. (obs. rare), obj. and inf. or complement, or clause as obj. Also, in a more subjective sense (cf. Fr. trouver): To feel to be (agreeable, disagreeable, etc.), to consider or regard as (ridiculous, excellent, etc.).

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 25180 (Cott.). Bot þat es man-hed mast o mede, be funden treu in ilk nede.

c. 1400.  Rom. Rose, 2707.

1435.  Misyn, Fire of Love, 20. He has fun þam worþi to haue hym-self.

a. 1533.  Ld. Berners, Huon, lxx. 240. Ye shall fynde the mater other wyse then Gerarde his brother hath sayd.

1570.  G. Buchanan, Chamæleon, Wks. (1892), 49. At lang having deliberat to take him with him, and perswadit him bayth be giftis of landis and money, he fand to be trew in deid all yat he suspectit afoir.

1607.  Topsell, Serpents (1608), 596. Cadmus, not finding their return, went likewise to the same fountain, where he found all his men slaine, and the Serpent approching to assaile him.

1611.  Bible, Dan. v. 27. Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.

1626.  Bacon, Sylva, § 22. We finde that Violets, Woodbines, Strawberries, yeeld a pleasing Scent, that commeth forth first; But soone after an ill Scent, quite differing from the Former; Which is caused, not so much by Mellowing, as by the late issuing of the Grosser Spirit.

1711.  Steele, Spect., No. 6, 7 March, ¶ 2. The beggar has no relish above sensations, he finds rest more agreeable than motion.

1768.  Sterne, Sent. Journ. (1778), II. 83 (Character). How do you find the French?

1831.  Keble, Serm., v. (1848), 120. When his severe trials came, unimpeached as he was for personal fortitude, and nobly obstinate in his own good principles, he was found wanting in some qualities, which the world seems agreed to call ‘heroic.’

1886.  Manch. Exam., 27 Feb., 5/2. Deer forests have been found to pay better than sheep grazing.

  b.  Often in phrases, To find (it) † fit, impossible, necessary, etc. to (do so and so).

1629.  S’hertogenbosh, 5. They found fit to build there the fourth chiefe Towne, to the end that the Brabanders forces might lye vpon 4. Pillers.

1776.  Trial of Nundocomar, 16/2. Whatever contingent expenses you may find it necessary to disburse in Calcutta.

1879.  B. Taylor, Stud. Germ. Lit., 11. Hildebrand finds it impossible to decline the defiance.

  7.  In certain senses of FEEL: † a. To suffer, undergo (punishment, pain) (obs.). b. To suffer from, feel unpleasantly (cold, etc.); now colloq. or dial.; also, to find of. c. To perceive (a smell, taste) (Sc.). Cf. also 16.

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 6295 (Gött.).

c. 1400.  Maundev. (1839), iii. 17. At the Cop of the Hille is the Eir so cleer, that Men may fynde no Wynde there.

1633.  Bp. Hall, Hard Texts, 369. My Church under the Gospell shall be exceedingly fruitfull; she shall beare children unto her God, with great ease, and speed; yea, she shall beare a generous, and manly issue, before she findes the throwes of her travell.

1733.  Present State Russia, II. 24. We did not find the Cold … very sensibly.

1771.  Goldsm., Hist. Eng., II. 298. Henry found little uneasiness at Perkin’s irruption.

1826.  J. Wilson, Noct. Ambr., Wks. 1855, I. 274. Do you fin’ the smell o’ burnin, sir?

1884.  Jefferies, Red Deer, xiii. 154. Rain is often almost incessant, and even those who are hardened to it find of the cold.

  † 8.  = Find out (20 c). Obs.

c. 1200.  Trin. Coll. Hom., 5. Forleteð ȝure synne þat ȝe ne be ifunden on sunne.

13[?].  E. E. Allit. P., B. 547.

a. 1400.  Octouian, 229.

1530.  Palsgr., 550/1. Howe canste thou denye it, wast thou nat founde with the maner?

1611.  Heywood, Golden Age, I. Wks. 1874, III. 19. That this imposture neuer shall be found.

1692.  Locke, Educ., § 124. The first time he is found in a Lye, it should rather be wondered at as a monstrous Thinge in him, than reproved as an ordinary Fault.

1741–3.  Wesley, Extract of Jrnl. (1749), 83. O, I find you, I find you! I know where you are. Is not your name Wesley?

a. 1774.  Fergusson, Election, Poems (1845), 42.

  II.  To discover or attain by search or effort.

  9.  To discover or obtain by searching.

c. 950.  Lindisfarne Gospels, Matt. xxvi. 60. All ðiu somnung ȝesohton leas witnessa wið ðone hælend … & ne fundon.

c. 1000.  Ags. Ps. lxxvi. 16 [lxxvii. 19] (Gr.). Ne bið þær eðe þin spor on to findanne.

a. 1200.  Moral Ode, 243, in Trin. Coll. Hom., 227. Hie secheð reste þar non nis ac hie hies ne muȝen ifinden.

1375.  Barbour, Bruce, I. 59.

c. 1386.  Chaucer, Sqr.’s T., 462.

c. 1420.  Pallad. on Husb., I. 8.

1553.  T. Wilson, Rhet. (1580), 98. Is his Lease long inough…. Then … I will finde a hole in it I warrant thee.

1656.  Cowley, Friendsh. in Absence, ix.

1785.  Burns, To W. Sampson, xv.

1848.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., I. 534. Such was the impatience and rashness of the exiles that they tried to find another leader.

1870.  C. F. Gordon Cumming, In the Himmalayas, in Good Words, XI. 133/1–2. Though the depth of the khuds is very great, and the slope so rapid that you can scarcely find footing when once off the beaten road, they have none of the beauty of rock or precipice, and the long interminable lines, in continuous sweep, become very wearisome to the eye.

  absol.  c. 1250.  Gen. & Ex., 3190.

1340.  Ayenb., 24. Clier wyt wel uor to understonde, and sotil wyt wel uor to vynde.

1382.  Wyclif, Matt. vii. 7. Axe ȝe, and it shal be ȝouen to ȝou; seke ȝe, and ȝe shulen fynde; knocke ȝe, and it shal be opnyd to ȝou.

  b.  To discover (game) in hunting. Also absol.

c. 1430.  Avow. Arth., xxxi.

1486.  Bk. St. Albans, E v b. When she shall with houndes be foundyn and soght.

1565–73.  Cooper, Thesaurus, Good hounds … open not but where they finde.

1848.  Mrs. Jameson, Sacr. & Leg. Art (1850), 196. The dogs of course found, but neither they nor the king could make anything of this new species of animal, ‘che pareva un orso.’

1883.  J. W. Sherer, At Home and in India, 207. Lady Montego … heard the view hallo…. They had found.

  c.  To come again into view of, to recover (something lost).

a. 1225.  Ancr. R., 48. Louerd, he seið, min heorte is icumen aȝein eft: ich hire habbe ifunden.

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 4107 (Cott.).

13[?].  E. E. Allit. P., A. 327. Now haf I fonte þat I for-lete.

1388.  Wyclif, Luke xv. 5. Whanne he hath founden it, he ioyinge puttith on his shuldris; and he comynge hoom clepith to gidere his frendis and neiȝebors.

c. 1440.  Generydes, 53.

1596.  Shaks., Merch. V., I. i. 143.

1667.  Milton, P. L., VIII. 478.

1791.  ‘G. Gambado,’ Ann. Horsem., ix. (1809), 106. I tipp’d my nag over a broken place in the wall, and soon found the hounds again.

  d.  fig. in phrase, To know where to find him, you, etc. So, † Where may we find you?

1581.  J. Bell, Haddon’s Answ. Osor., 153. Set downe your mynde whereunto you will stand, that we may know once where we may finde you.

1602.  W. Watson, Decacordon, 147. Whereby father Parsons and his adherents did so square their actions, as neuer a Prince in Christendome, nor any man liuing can tell where to find them.

a. 1626.  W. Sclater, On Rom. iv. (1650), 25. Versipelles: Where may we finde you?

1856.  J. H. Newman, Callista, 61. He did not understand his nephew, or (to use a common phrase) know where to find him.

  e.  refl. To discover and attain one’s special place, power, or vocation.

1647.  H. More, Poems, 294.

1889.  Spectator, 14 Dec., 839. Browning may be said almost to have found himself in the delight he had in reading other persons’ souls.

1893.  Academy, 11 March, 222/1. It was as assistant to Bain that Minto found himself.

  10.  To succeed in obtaining (something needed or desired); to procure (money, bail, sureties, etc.). Cf. 18.

1552.  Huloet, Finde suerties, vadio.

1609.  Skene, Reg. Maj., 110. Gif sic borgh may not be founden, he sall pas to the knawledge of ane assise.

1640–1.  Kirkcudbr. War-Comm. Min. Bk. (1855), 81. They find suretie to uthers, as accords of the law.

1821.  Examiner, 350/1. You shall find security for your good behaviour.

1868.  Act 31–2 Vict., c. 54 § 5. It shall not be necessary … to find Security for Expenses.

  b.  To get or obtain (opportunity, time, etc.) by arrangement or management.

a. 1225.  Ancr. R., 330. Him nis no þing leouere þen þet he muwe ivinden ancheisun uorto ȝiuene.

1535.  Coverdale, Haggai i. 4. Ye youre selues can fynde tyme to dwell in syled houses, and shal this house lye waist?

1656.  Cowley, In Imitation of Martial’s Epigram, 21.

1711.  Steele, s., No. 76, 28 May, ¶ 3. If he observed a Man untractable to his Inferiors, he would find an Opportunity to take some favourable Notice of him, and render him insupportable.

1760.  H. Walpole, Corr. (ed. 3), III. ccclviii. 376. I just found a moment to write you a line.

1868.  J. H. Blunt, Ref. Ch. Eng., I. 466. The volume had not been long in print before the king found time to read it.

  c.  To summon up (courage, resolution, etc. to do something). To find in one’s heart: to be inclined or desirous; to prevail upon oneself (to do something); in present use chiefly, to be hard-hearted enough. † To find one’s countenance: to assume a certain demeanour.

c. 1374.  Chaucer, Troilus, III. 979.

c. 1440.  Gesta Rom., lxx. 324 (Harl. MS.). He slepte a gret while so savourly, þat þe preste ne none othir myȝt fynde in hire herte to wake him.

1551.  Robinson, trans. More’s Utop. (Arb.), 26. They can not fynde in their hertes to loue the author therof, nor to aforde him a good woorde.

1611.  Bible, 2 Sam. vii. 27. Therfore hath thy seruant found in his heart to pray this prayer vnto thee.

1711.  Steele, Spect., No. 27, 31 March, ¶ 1. They are wearied with the Toil they bear, but cannot find in their Hearts to relinquish it.

1861.  Geo. Eliot, Silas Marner, xiv. 255. Not as I could find i’ my heart to let him stay i’ the coal-hole more nor a minute, but it was enough to colly him all over, so as he must be new washed and dressed, and it was as good as a rod to him—that was.

Mod.  At last he has found courage to speak.

  11.  Of things: a. To obtain as if by effort. So to find expression, ingress, outlet, place, etc. Also occasionally, to have in a specified place.

1810.  Scott, Lady of L., III. ix.

1813.  H. & J. Smith, Horace in London, 90.

1819.  Shelley, Cenci, V. iv. 99.

1860.  W. F. Collier, Gt. Events Hist., v. (1871), 173. The devotion of the people found vent chiefly in pilgrimages.

1875.  Jowett, Plato (ed. 2), III. 696, Critias. Making a passage fron the sea up to this, which became a harbour, and leaving an opening sufficient to enable the largest vessels to find ingress.

  b.  To reach, arrive at as a destination.

a. 1340.  Hampole, Psalter, xx. 8. Þi righthand fynd [L. inveniat] all þat has þe hated.

1646.  Sir T. Browne, Pseud. Ep., II. iii. 72. The iron being artificially placed, and at a distance guided toward the stone, untill it find the neutrall point, wherein its gravity just equalls the magneticall quality.

1801.  Southey, Thalaba, VII. xx.

  c.  To come home to, take hold of, reach the understanding or conscience of.

a. 1834.  Coleridge, Conf. Inquiring Spirit, i. (1840), 10. Whatever finds me, bears witness for itself that it has proceeded from a Holy Spirit.

1865.  M. Arnold, Ess. Crit., i. (1875), 37. As long as his new casting so fails more fully to commend itself, more fully (to use Coleridge’s happy phrase about the Bible) to find us.

1891.  Drummond, in Pall Mall G., 17 Oct., 7/2. The books of which I have been speaking found me and taught me.

  12.  To ascertain or attain by mental effort; to discover by study or attention.

a. 1000.  Cynewulf’s Christ, 183 (Gollancz). Hu mæȝ ic … andsware æniȝe findan Wraþum to-wiþere.

c. 1175.  Lamb. Hom., 103. Eaðe mei þe mon fundan hu he hine seolfe amerre.

a. 1250.  Owl & Night., 701.

c. 1320.  The Seuyn Sages (W.), 2371.

1481.  Caxton, Godfrey, cxxxvii. 204. The duc Godeffroy that was moche wyse and knewe moche drewe hym a part and called only the barons and bad hym saye that he hath founden.

1538.  Starkey, England, I. ii. 68. We may perauenture fynd some mean to restore our cuntrey to hyr commyn wele agayne.

a. 1631.  Donne, Poems (1650), 3.

1678.  Phillips, To Find the Ships Trim, a term in navigation to find how she will sail best.

1697.  Dryden, Virg. Georg., III. 701.

1812–6.  J. Smith, The Panorama of Science and Art, I. 481. With the solar microscope, we must rest contented with viewing the true figure of an object, without expecting to find its natural colour; since no shadow can possibly exhibit the colour of the body which it represents.

  13.  To ascertain by calculation; to get at or obtain (the solution of a problem).

c. 1391.  Chaucer, Astrol., Prol. 1. Alle the conclusiouns that han ben fownde.

c. 1500.  Lancelot, 497.

1714.  Whiston, Euclid (ed. 3), III. 1. To find [Billingsley, 1570, has To finde out] the Center of a given Circle.

1840.  Lardner, Geom., 141. We find the point B on the second parallel from O Y at a certain distance above the fifth parallel from O X.

  14.  To find one’s way: primarily, to make out one’s way by observation or inquiry; to contrive to reach one’s destination. Hence in weaker sense, said of persons and things: To go or be brought to a place in spite of difficulties, or not quite as a matter of course.

[a. 1225.  Ancr. R., 66. Þe ueond … ivond wei touward hire of hire uorlorenesse.

c. 1250.  Gen. & Ex., 3244.

1393.  Gower, Conf., I. 265.

1667.  Milton, P. L., IV. 889.

1746–7.  Hervey, Medit. (1818), 67. That fatal javelin, which has drank the blood of monarchs, and finds its way to the hearts of all the sons of Adam, shall be utterly broken.

1803.  J. Bristed, Pedestrian Tour, II. 655. Her cousins, who had been bankrupted as bakers in the neighbourhood of Paisley, and had found their way up to London.

1827.  Examiner, 792/2. English corn is finding its way into Holland.

1835.  Thirlwall, Greece, I. 11. A weak and sluggish river, which, unless swollen by rains, scarcely finds its way to the sea.

1847.  Marryat, Childr. N. Forest, iv. Could you find your way home? but that is of no consequence—Smoker will lead you home by the shortest path.

1875.  Jowett, Plato (ed. 2), I. 340, Apology, Introduction. The Athenian people are not so ignorant as to attribute to the influence of Socrates notions which have found their way into the drama, and may be learned at the theatre.

  † 15.  To contrive, devise, invent; to discover (a scientific fact, etc.). Also with forth, up. Obs.

O. E. Chron., an. 918. Se cyng hæfde funden, ðæt [etc.].

a. 1240.  Ureisun, in Cott. Hom., 199.

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 1469 (Cott.). He [Enoch] was þe first þat letters fand.

c. 1380.  Wyclif, Wks. (1880), 279. No feyned priuelegie or tradicions founden vp of synful wrecchis.

1393.  Gower, Conf., II. 161.

1430.  Lydgate, Chronicle of Troy, I. iii.

c. 1449.  Pecock, Repr., 534. For this eende religiouns weren founde and foundid.

c. 1450.  Henryson, Mor. Fab., 77.

1568.  Grafton, Chron., II. 145. Many … have found suggestions … to bring this your realme into subversion.

1655–60.  T. Stanley, Hist. Philos. (1701) 106. Anaximander found the obliquity of the Zodiack.

  16.  dial. To feel (a pulse); also intr. to feel, grope.

1826.  J. Wilson, Noct. Ambr., Wks. 1855, I. 164. You wad hae fan’ a pulse wi’ a true Esculawpian solemnity.

1892.  Northumb. Gloss., It’s that dark, aa’ll he’ to fin’ for the sneck.

  17.  Law. † a. intr. To determine. (Only in OE.)

a. 1000.  Laws Alfred, § 18, in Thorpe, Laws (1840) I. 72. Swa we ær be læwdum men fundon.

  b.  † To determine and declare (an offence) to have been committed (obs.); to determine and declare (an issue) to be (so and so).

1495.  Act 11 Hen. VII., c. 3. Pream. The seid offences … myght not … be punysshed … except it were first founde and presented by the verdite of xij men.

1515.  Wriothesley, Chron. (1875) I. 9. They saide he hanged himselfe, but it was fownde contrarie.

1602.  Shaks., Ham., V. i. 5. The Crowner hath sate on her, and finds it Christian buriall.

1647.  N. Bacon, Discourse of the Laws & Government of England, I. lxvii. (1682), 168. If it were found for the supposed Offender, he was bailed till the next coming of the Justices.

1675.  C. Hatton, in Hatton Corr. (1878), 121. Y^e crowner’s inquest have found it only manslaughter.

1817.  W. Selwyn, Law Nisi Prius (ed. 4), II. 1223. Judgment shall be given for defendant, although the issue be found against him.

  c.  To determine and declare (a person) guilty or innocent.

c. 1400.  An Apology for Lollard Doctrines, 45. Þe Holi Goost, wan he comiþ schal find þis world of dome.

c. 1475.  Rauf Coilȝear, 290. He will be found in his fault, that wantis foroutin weir.

1531–2.  Act 23 Hen. VIII., c. 1. Anie personne … founde gyltie of any abbettement.

1613.  Shaks., Hen. VIII., II. i. 7. Is he found guilty?

1784.  Cowper, Task, II. 12.

1821.  Examiner, 544/1. The Jury found the defendants guilty.

  d.  To agree upon and deliver, ‘bring in’ (a verdict). Also with obj. sentence introduced by that.

1574.  trans. Littleton’s Tenures, 100 a. The Graund Assise ought by the law to finde that [etc.].

a. 1657.  Sir J. Balfour, Ann. Scot. (1824–5), II. 58. The said courte hauing takin to ther serious consideratione, fand that the said edicte did no wayes extend towardes the subiectes of the kingdome of Scotland, ther ancient frinds and allayes.

1848.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., II. 37. The jury … found a verdict of guilty.

1888.  Law Times, LXXXV. 132/2. The jury at the trial found that the managing director of P. had ratified the contract made by R. with the plaintiff.

  absol.  1622.  Bacon, Hen. VII., 210. They would also ruffle with Iurors, and inforce them to finde as they would direct, and (if they did not) Conuent them, Imprison them, and Fine them.

1891.  Law Times, XC. 283/1. The jury … found for the plaintiff.

  e.  To ascertain the validity of (an indictment, etc.). To find a (true) bill: see BILL sb.³ 4.

1512.  Act 4 Hen. VIII., c. 10. Any office or offices found before Eschetour or Eschetours.

1534.  Act 26 Hen. VIII., c. 2. An inditement of .xii. men lawfully founden.

1647.  Clarendon, Hist. Reb., VI. (1703), II. 99. This Indictment and Information was found by the Grand Jury.

1769.  Blackstone, Comm., IV. xxiii. 301. To find a bill, there must at least twelve of the [grand] jury agree.

1845.  Stephen, Laws Eng., II. 484. An indictment for treason … must be found within three years after the commission of the act of treason.

  III.  18. To procure (something) for the use of (somebody): with direct (or direct and indirect) obj.; to supply, provide, furnish. All found (in regard to servants): with all customary articles of food, etc., provided.

c. 1200.  Trin. Coll. Hom., 215. Wi sholdest þu þis finden þe noht ne fost þerof.

a. 1225.  St. Marher., 20. Hwa so … makeð chapele oðer chirche oðer ifindeð in ham liht oðor lampe.

1297.  R. Glouc. (1724), 297. Þat euere eyȝte hyde lond an man hym ssolde fynde.

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 13277 (Cott.). Wit þair scipp þai fand þam fode.

c. 1386.  Chaucer, Knt’s T., 1555.

c. 1430.  Pilgr. Lyf Manhode, II. xix. (1869), 82. He wolde that … here herkeners aministreden hem and founden hem here vitailes.

1543–4.  Act 35 Hen. VIII., c. 11 § 3. Boroughes … not findinge burgesses for the parliament.

1563.  Richmond. Wills, 167. My thre natural sonns, and their meanye, shalbe fownden meate and drynke sufficentlye.

1603.  R. Johnson, Relations of the Most Famous Kingdoms, etc., 152. No more then every horseman [is accounted] a rider, or able to finde himselfe armour.

1647.  N. Bacon, Discourse of the Laws & Government of England, I. lxxi. (1682), 192. That Law of Æthelstane, That for every Plough, every man should find two compleat Horses.

1768–71.  H. Walpole, Vertue’s Anecd. Paint. (1786), III. 253. The subscription was but ten shillings a year: Britton found the instruments.

1814.  Col. Hawker, Diary (1893), I. 122. N.B.—The hotels do not find breakfast, and most of them find nothing but wines and liqueurs.

1867.  Freeman, Norm. Conq. (1876), I. App. 662. The government required each county to find its quota of ships.

1884.  Punch, LXXXVI. 8 March, 118/2. Wages £18, all found but beer.

  b.  with immaterial object.

1664.  Butler, Hud., II. ii. 386.

1771.  Junius Lett., xlix. 254. The perpetration and description of new crimes will find employment for us both.

1858.  Buckle, Civiliz. (1873) II. viii. 574. The forms of constitutional government they could bestow, but they could not find the traditions and the habits by which the forms were worked.

  19.  To support, maintain, provide for (a person, rarely an institution). To find in: to supply with. † To find to school: to maintain at school.

  [App. from 18 by conversion of indirect into direct obj.]

1375.  Barbour, Bruce, I. 322.

1393.  Langl., P. Pl., C. VI. 36. My fader and my frendes · founden me to scole.

c. 1430.  Hymns Virg. (1867), 59. I wole þee fynde til þou be oolde.

a. 1529.  Skelton, Replyc., 147.

1599.  Hakluyt, Voy., II. II. 73. Condemned persons, the which are found by the king as long as they do liue.

1713.  Steele, Guardian, No. 58, 18 May, ¶ 3. The King of Sweden finds me in clean linen, and the Mufti gets me Credit at the Tavern.

1795.  Burke, Thoughts Scarcity, Wks. 1842, II. 249. It is the interest of the farmer, that his work should be done with effect and celerity: and that cannot be, unless the labourer is well fed, and otherwise found with such necessaries of animal life, according to his habitudes, as may keep the body in full force, and the mind gay and cheerful.

1830.  Gen. P. Thompson, Exerc. (1842), I. 212. Decline finding paupers in venison.

1857.  R. Tomes, Amer. in Japan, viii. 183. Boatmen’s wages are from one and a half to two and a quarter dollars per month, when found, which latter condition generall includes food, not only for themselves, but for their wives and children, who live with them on the boat.

  b.  So To find oneself: to provide for one’s own living or needs. † Also said transf. of a war.

c. 1386.  Chaucer, Nun’s Pr. T., 9.

1466.  Mann. & Househ. Exp., 346. Item, to ij. fellers of tymbre, and to fynde them selffes, viij.d.

1553.  Becon, Reliques of Rome (1563), 24 b. Such poore of y^e same, as haue not wherof to fynde themselues.

1585.  T. Washington, trans. Nicholay’s Voy. Turkie, III. iv. 76 b. And for this assured gard they haue of the Ambassadors aboue their ordinary wages 4 Aspres of pension by the day, but vpon that they must fynde themselues.

1624.  Bacon, War with Spain (1629), 45. The war in continuance will finde it selfe.

1653.  H. Cogan, trans. Pinto’s Trav., xxxiii. 133. Each of them receives monthly a certain pay to find himself withal, and to live upon.

1754.  Fielding, Voy. to Lisbon, Wks. 1882, VII. 99. It was expected the passengers should find themselves in several things.

1847.  Marryat, Childr. N. Forest, vi. They found themselves, as fowls can always do when they have a great range of ground to go over.

  † c.  To serve to maintain. Obs.

1483.  Festivall (W. de W., 1515), 59. Of y^e wheet was so grete plente y^t it founde all y^e people … for thre yere.

1523.  Fitzherb., Surv., 2 b. It is to be enquered … what maner of beestes or catell it [the medowe] is most necessary vnto, and howe many it wyll fynde.

1586.  T. B., La Primaud. Fr. Acad., I. 429. He [Crassus] gave to every citizen as much wheate as would finde him three moneths.

  IV.  With adverbs.

  20.  Find out.

  a.  To discover by attention, scrutiny, study, etc.; to devise, invent; to unriddle, solve.

1552.  Huloet, Finde out by studye, excudo.

1568.  Grafton, Chron., II. 637. Johannes Fauscius … first found out the noble science of Imprintyng.

1611.  Bible, 2 Chron. ii. 14. A man of Tyre, skilfull to … find out euery deuice which shall be put to him.

1667.  Milton, P. L., II. 404.

1712.  Addison, Spect., No. 543, 22 Nov., ¶ 1. Since the Circulation of the Blood has been found out and many other great Discoveries have been made by our Modern Anatomists, we see new Wonders in the Human Frame, and discern several important Uses for those Parts, which Uses the Ancients knew nothing of.

1744.  J. Harris, Three Treat. II. (1841), 26, note. They turned their eyes to matters political, and found out laws, and the several things that constitute cities, or civil communities: and this contrivance in its turn they called wisdom, and of this sort were those celebrated seven wise men, the inventors of certain virtues political.

1871.  R. H. Hutton, Ess. (1877), I. 38. True universal Science does not attempt to ignore real differences of kind between the special phenomena of its various branches; and therefore it aims not at falsely identifying radical distinctions, but at finding out how they may be really united without being confounded.

  b.  To come upon by searching or inquiry; to discover (what is hidden). Cf. 9.

1551.  Wilson, Logike (1580), 36 b. Thei … doe searche narrowlie … and … at lengthe finde out the Mine.

1611.  Bible, Job xi. 7. Canst thou by searching finde out God? canst thou finde out the Almightie vnto perfection?

1625.  Bacon, Ess. Truth (Arb.), 499. The Difficulty Labour, which Men take in finding out of Truth.

1634.  Herbert, Trav., 217. A Discourse and proofe that Madoc ap Owen Gwynedd first found out that Continent now call’d America.

1712.  Steele, Spect., No. 308, 22 Feb., ¶ 5. I was very much surprized this Morning, that any one should find out my Lodging.

1749.  Fielding, Tom Jones, VII. vii. As she is a woman of very great note, I shall easily find her out.

1816.  Scott, Antiq., xxiv. ‘The prophecy gat abroad in the country, that whenever Misticot’s grave was fond out, the estate of Knockwinnock should be lost and won.’

  c.  To detect in an offence; to detect, discover (a fraud, etc.); to penetrate the disguise of, discover the identity or true character of. Cf. 8.

1711.  Steele, Spect., No. 51, 28 April, ¶ 7. If at the Catastrophe he were found out for a Traytor.

1741.  Richardson, Pamela, I. xxiv. 65. Pray don’t reveal yourself, till he finds you out.

a. 1853.  Robertson, Serm., Ser. III. viii. 108. When once a man has found himself out he cannot be deceived again.

1883.  Stubbs’ Mercantile Circular, 8 Nov., 982/2. The worthlessness of … clayed cottons is now being found out by the consumer.

  † d.  To provide, supply. Obs.^–1

a. 1715.  Burnet, Own Time (1823), I. 528. It was not possible for them to find out funds for so great an expense.

  21.  Find up. To discover by search.

  Said to be ‘a Norfolkism’ (W. Taylor in Robberds, Mem., II. 135). ‘Still common in Suffolk’ (F. Hall).

[Cf. 1380 in 15 and 1430 in FINDER 1 c.]

1799.  W. Taylor, in Robberds, Mem., I. 260. Have you a mind for a piece of waggery at Bristol, to find up ‘More Reliques of Rowley’? Ibid. (1817), Monthly Mag., XLIV. 314. Jerom says (in prologo galeato) that found-up a Hebrew original of the first book of Maccabees.

1832.  Ht. Martineau, Each & All, vii. 96. I am going into the depths of the city to find up a money lender.