rummaging

verbransack, search

Synonyms for rummaging

verb ransack, search

Antonyms for rummaging

Word Origin & History

1540s, "arrange (cargo) in a ship," from rummage (n.), 1520s, "act of arranging cargo in a ship," a shortening of Middle French arrumage "arrangement of cargo," from arrumer "to stow goods in the hold of a ship," from a- "to" + rumer, probably from Germanic (cf. Old Norse rum "compartment in a ship," Old High German rum "space," Old English rum; see room (n.)). Or else from English room (n.) + -age.

Meaning "to search closely (the hold of a ship), especially by moving things about" first recorded 1610s. Related: Rummaged; rummaging. Rummage sale (1803) originally was a sale at docks of unclaimed goods.

Example Sentences for rummaging

There he handed out Ferry's document and went on rummaging for mine.

In a moment he was on his feet, rummaging the stage for the missing music.

She was rummaging for the soap and for an answer to his first remark.

We put in nearly a week rummaging through that moldy old barracks.

A number of pigs and fowl were rummaging about the kitchen at will.

In the next instant he was rummaging in the medicine closet.

Amaryllis thrust her hand deep into the Brundage pocket, rummaging.

"You can have this small compass," said Honor, rummaging in her pocket.

They dropped and died on the dust-heaps they had been rummaging for offal.

Hands were rummaging at my left arm; a bandage being wound about.