find: Meaning and Definition of

find

Pronunciation: (fīnd), [key]
— v., n. found, find•ing,
—v.t.
  1. to come upon by chance; meet with: He found a nickel in the street.
  2. to locate, attain, or obtain by search or effort: to find an apartment; to find happiness.
  3. to locate or recover (something lost or misplaced): I can't find my blue socks.
  4. to discover or perceive after consideration: to find something to be true.
  5. to gain or regain the use of: His anger finally helped him find his tongue.
  6. to ascertain by study or calculation: to find the sum of several numbers.
  7. to feel or perceive: He finds it so.
  8. to become aware of, or discover (oneself&hasp;), as being in a condition or location: After a long illness, he found himself well again. She woke to find herself at home.
  9. to discover: Columbus found America in 1492.
  10. to find a person guilty.
    1. to determine after judicial inquiry:to find a person guilty.
    2. to pronounce as an official act (an indictment, verdict, or judgment).
  11. to provide or furnish: Bring blankets and we'll find the rest of the equipment for the trip.
  12. (of farm animals) to give birth to: The brown cow found a calf yesterday.
—v.i.
  1. to determine an issue after judicial inquiry: The jury found for the plaintiff.
  2. to come upon game.
  3. See(def. 12).
  4. to discover where one's real interests or talents lie, and follow them: After trying many occupations, he finally found himself and became an account executive.
  5. They found him out before he could launch the rebellion.
    1. to discover or confirm the truth of (something).
    2. to detect or expose, as a crime or offense.
    3. to uncover the true nature, identity, or intentions of (someone):They found him out before he could launch the rebellion.
—n.
  1. an act of finding or discovering.
  2. something found; a discovery, esp. a valuable or gratifying one: Our cook was a find.
  3. a discovery of game, esp. foxes.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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