Find \Find\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Found; p. pr. & vb. n.
Finding.]
[AS. findan; akin to D. vinden, OS. & OHG.
findan, G. finden, Dan. finde, icel. & Sw. finna, Goth.
fin?an; and perh. to L. petere to seek, Gr. ? to fall, Skr.
pat to fall, fly, E. petition.]
1. To meet with, or light upon, accidentally; to gain the
first sight or knowledge of, as of something new, or
unknown; hence, to fall in with, as a person.
Searching the window for a flint, I found This
paper, thus sealed up. --Shak.
In woods and forests thou art found. --Cowley.
2. To learn by experience or trial; to perceive; to
experience; to discover by the intellect or the feelings;
to detect; to feel. ``I find you passing gentle.'' --Shak.
The torrid zone is now found habitable. --Cowley.
3. To come upon by seeking; as, to find something lost.
(a) To discover by sounding; as, to find bottom.
(b) To discover by study or experiment direct to an object
or end; as, water is found to be a compound substance.
(c) To gain, as the object of desire or effort; as, to
find leisure; to find means.
(d) To attain to; to arrive at; to acquire.
Seek, and ye shall find. --Matt. vii.
7.
Every mountain now hath found a tongue. --Byron.
4. To provide for; to supply; to furnish; as, to find food
for workemen; he finds his nephew in money.
Wages [pounds]14 and all found. --London
Times.
Nothing a day and find yourself. --Dickens.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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