ransacking

Noun
Synonyms: rummage

WordNet 3.0

Noun (1)

  1. a thorough search for something (often causing disorder or confusion)“he gave the attic a good rummage but couldn't find his skis”Synonyms: rummage
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Ransack \Ran"sack\ (r[a^]n"s[a^]k), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Ransacked (-s[a^]kt); p. pr. & vb. n. Ransacking.] [OE. ransaken, Icel. rannsaka to explore, examine; rann a house (akin to Goth. razn house, AS. r[ae]sn plank, beam) + the root of s[ae]kja to seek, akin to E. seek. See Seek, and cf. Rest repose.]

1.To search thoroughly; to search every place or part of; as, to ransack a house. [1913 Webster]

To ransack every corner of their . . . hearts.— South.[1913 Webster]

2.To plunder; to pillage completely. [1913 Webster]

Their vow is made To ransack Troy.— Shak.[1913 Webster]

3.To violate; to ravish; to defiour. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

Rich spoil of ransacked chastity.— Spenser.[1913 Webster]
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