searcher

From Middle English serchour, sercher, from Old French cercheor; equivalent to search +‎ -er.

• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈsɝt͡ʃɚ/
• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈsɜː(ɹ)t͡ʃə(ɹ)/

• Audio (Southern England):

  (file)

• Rhymes: -ɜː(ɹ)tʃə(ɹ)

searcher (plural searchers)

1. One who searches.
   • 1769, Firishta, translated by Alexander Dow, Tales translated from the Persian of Inatulla of Delhi, volume I, Dublin: P. and W. Wilson et al., page 4:

     When he had repoſed four years and four months in the boſom of care, rocked in the cradle of proſperity, he was brought forth, according to the cuſtom of true believers, and committed to the charge of moralifts of high fame, poliſhers of noble manners, and ſearchers of true knowledge, that they might cultivate his heaven-born genius, and teach him with dignity to rule that world which he was born to command[.]

2. (UK, historical) An officer in London appointed to examine the bodies of the dead, and report the cause of death.
   • 1662-1663, John Graunt, Natural and Political Observations Made Upon the Bills of Mortality:

     The Searchers hereupon (who are ancient Matrons, sworn to their Office) repair to the place where the dead Corps lies

3. (UK, historical) An officer who apprehended idlers on the street during church hours in Scotland.
4. A customs officer responsible for searching ships, merchandise, luggage, etc.
5. An inspector of leather.
6. An instrument for examining the bore of a cannon, to detect cavities.
7. An implement for sampling butter.
8. A sieve or strainer.
9. An instrument for feeling after calculi in the bladder, etc.

• searcheress

• re-search, reachers, research