pore

¹

[ pawr, pohr ]

verb (used without object)

pored, poring.

1. to read or study with steady attention or application:

   a scholar poring over a rare old manuscript.

2. to gaze earnestly or steadily:

   to pore over a painting.

3. to meditate or ponder intently (usually followed by over, on, or upon ):

   He pored over the strange events of the preceding evening.

   Synonyms: examine, peruse, scrutinize, ponder

pore

²

[ pawr, pohr ]

noun

1. a minute opening or orifice, as in the skin or a leaf, for perspiration, absorption, etc.
2. a minute interstice, as in a rock.

pore

¹

/ pɔː /

verb

1. foll by over to make a close intent examination or study (of a book, map, etc)

   he pored over the documents for several hours

2. foll byover, on, or upon to think deeply (about)

   he pored on the question of their future

3. rare.
   foll byover, on, or upon to look earnestly or intently (at); gaze fixedly (upon)

pore

²

/ pɔː /

noun

1. anatomy zoology any small opening in the skin or outer surface of an animal
2. botany any small aperture, esp that of a stoma through which water vapour and gases pass
3. any other small hole, such as a space in a rock, soil, etc

pore

/ pôr /

1. A tiny opening, as one in an animal's skin or on the surface of a plant leaf or stem, through which liquids or gases may pass.
2. A space in soil, rock, or loose sediment that is not occupied by mineral matter and allows the passage or absorption of fluids, such as water, petroleum, or air.

Usage

See pour

Other Word Forms

• porelike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pore¹

1250–1300; Middle English pouren < ?

Origin of pore²

1350–1400; Middle English poore < Late Latin porus < Greek póros passage; emporium, ford

Word History and Origins

Origin of pore¹

C13 pouren; perhaps related to peer ²

Origin of pore²

C14: from Late Latin porus, from Greek poros passage, pore

Example Sentences

It’s a movie where music sizzles and wails out of every pore.

From Los Angeles Times

There was his early passion for literature, which led him, as a boy, to spend hours poring over adventure novels by Alexandre Dumas and Jules Verne.

From Los Angeles Times

In poring over a handful of church and community cookbooks, those quiet cornerstones of real home cooking, the variations feel endless.

From Salon

Not by mastering ratios or poring over scientific explanations, but by doing something I once would have considered cheating.

From Salon

But I just couldn't let myself pore over polling and racehorse analysis anymore or allow myself to put too much stock in any individual victories.

From Salon