Perusal is a word that means careful examination or reading. The spelling of perusal is a bit tricky because it contains the silent letter "a." It's pronounced as /pəˈruːzəl/, with the "e" in the first syllable being pronounced as a "schwa" sound (ə). The "u" in the second syllable is pronounced as a long "u" sound (uː) and the "a" at the end is silent. Despite the complexity of its spelling, the word perusal is commonly used in literature, legal documents, and academic papers.
Perusal is a noun that refers to the act of reading, examining, or studying something carefully and thoroughly. It involves a detailed review or scrutiny of written material, such as books, documents, articles, or any form of text. The word "perusal" emphasizes the notion of dedicating considerable attention and time to thoroughly comprehend the subject matter being examined.
When engaging in perusal, individuals tend to read with a critical eye, absorbing the information and analyzing it in order to gain a deeper understanding or extract specific details. This careful examination often involves mentally processing the content, making connections, and drawing conclusions. Perusal can also involve reviewing something multiple times to fully grasp its complexities, nuances, or hidden meanings.
Perusal is commonly associated with activities such as research, studying, or reviewing important texts or legal documents. It is also employed in situations where close attention is required, such as when reading instructions, contracts, academic writings, or any materials that demand careful consideration.
Overall, perusal is an active and intentional act of reading for the purpose of comprehending and assimilating information. It entails a deliberate effort to thoroughly examine or absorb the content, resulting in a more profound understanding of the subject matter at hand.
The act of reading; the careful examination, as of a book.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "perusal" originated from the late Middle English term "perus" or "parus", which was derived from the Middle French word "parcourir". The French word "parcourir" means "to go through" or "to browse". Over time, "perus" in English began to take on the meaning of a thorough reading or examination of something. Eventually, "perus" evolved into the modern English word "perusal" denoting the act of carefully and attentively reading or reviewing a document, publication, or any form of written material.