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, orupon ).

   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. to think deeply (about)

   he pored on the question of their future

3. rare,  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

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.

Other Word Forms

• porelike 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

Much of her songwriting and back catalogue has been about her previous relationships, with fans poring over the lyrics to try and guess who the subjects of her songs are.

From BBC

Biochar, a charcoal-like material that some people mix in their garden soil, has pores that can capture metals, Fang said, adding that there’s also research indicating it can suck up PFAS, or so-called forever chemicals.

From Los Angeles Times

From the start Hun Sen posted constantly, in Khmer and English, on his Facebook page, taunting the Thai government, along with photos that showed him in army uniform or poring over military maps.

From BBC

With it comes the inevitable debate about the competition, its merits, flaws and place within English cricket, pored over again.

From BBC

Events at the end of that fifth day have been pored over, probably because there was little excitement generated by the cricket played.

From BBC