Pronunciation: [ɹˈɪfə͡lz θɹˈuː] (IPA) 
The phrase "riffles through" is spelled with a double 'f' in 'riffles' and a single 'f' in 'through'. The phonetic transcription for 'riffles' is /ˈrɪfəlz/, with stress on the first syllable and an 's' sound at the end. The word 'through' is spelled phonetically as /θruː/, with a long 'u' sound and an 'oo' sound at the end. The meaning of 'riffles through' is to search or look through something quickly and casually.
The term "riffles through" is a phrasal verb used to describe the act of searching through or examining something in a quick, often disorganized or hasty manner. It is typically used when referring to individuals skimming or scanning the contents of documents, papers, or any collection of items with the intent of finding something specific or interesting.
When someone "riffles through" a collection of items, it indicates a somewhat hurried or casual approach to the search process. The person may quickly flip or shuffle through the contents, paying little attention to the order or organization of the items they are examining.
This phrase is often used in contexts where time is limited or scarce, making it necessary to conduct a search in a rapid and somewhat careless manner. For example, a person may riffle through their desk drawers looking for a misplaced important document before a meeting or frantically riffle through their closet searching for a missing piece of clothing before leaving the house.
Overall, "riffles through" can be seen as an action characterized by speed, haste, and lack of thoroughness. It implies a quick and somewhat rough handling of the items being examined, focusing solely on finding what is being sought rather than carefully assessing each item's content or quality.
The word "riffles through" can be broken down into two parts: "riffles" and "through".
The term "riffles" comes from the noun "riffle", which refers to a shallow or rocky part of a river or stream where the water flows with turbulence, creating small waves or ripples. In the context of the word, "riffles" suggests the action of quickly flipping through or searching through something, reflecting the idea of swiftly moving through a series of items.
The word "through" derives from the Old English word "thorh", which means "into one side and out of the other". Over time, it evolved and became the modern English word "through", which is used to indicate movement from one side or end of something to another.
