English
research
Research comes from French rechercher ‘to examine closely’, and goes back to Old French recerchier ‘to seek, to look for’.
- Old Frenchc. 842–1400recerchier‘to seek’
- Frenchc. 1600–presentrechercher‘to examine closely’
- Englishearliest quotation 1747research
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed deepest recorded ancestor
Lineage
- Old Frenchc. 842–1400recerchier‘to seek’
- Frenchc. 1600–presentrechercher‘to examine closely’
- Englishearliest quotation 1747research
Earliest quotation: 1747, The Scots magazine: “The first step I took in this so necessary…”
Every English word from Old French recerchier
Today it means
noun Diligent inquiry or examination to seek or revise facts, principles, theories, applications, etc. (that are currently available, or that are familiar to oneself).
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Old French recerchier / research