The Art of Perusal: Mastering a Crucial GRE Vocabulary Word
Explore the meaning, history, and proper usage of the GRE vocabulary word ‘perusal’. Learn how to distinguish it from similar terms like ‘glance’ and ‘skim’, and understand the importance of careful, thorough examination when reading or studying.
Imagine you’re in a library, surrounded by shelves of books. You pick up a thick volume, flip through its pages, and spend time carefully reading each section.
This act of thorough examination is what we call perusal. Today, we’re diving into this important GRE vocabulary word.
Word type: Perusal is a noun. Its verb form is peruse.
Meaning: Perusal refers to the action of reading or examining something, especially a document or piece of writing, in a careful and thorough manner.
It implies a detailed and attentive review rather than a quick glance or skim.
Word history: The word perusal has an interesting etymology.
It comes from the Middle English word perusen, which meant to use up or wear out. Over time, its meaning evolved to signify the idea of going through or examining something thoroughly, as if using up all the information it contains.
Antonyms: Some antonyms for perusal include glance, skim, scan, and browse. These words suggest a quick or superficial look rather than the in-depth examination implied by perusal.
Synonyms: Synonyms for perusal include scrutiny, inspection, examination, and study. These words all convey the idea of careful and detailed observation or reading.
Examples of use in sentences: Let’s look at some examples to better understand how to use perusal in context.
After a thorough perusal of the contract, the lawyer found several clauses that needed revision. The job candidate’s perusal of the company website helped her prepare for the interview.
The professor encouraged students to give the article a careful perusal before the next class discussion.
Common errors in use: One common mistake is using perusal to mean a quick or casual look. For instance, saying I gave the newspaper a quick perusal this morning is incorrect because perusal implies a thorough examination, not a brief glance.
Another error is using the verb form peruse to mean browse or skim. Peruse actually means to read or examine carefully, not to look over quickly.
To wrap up, remember that perusal involves a careful and thorough examination, particularly of written material.
It’s not a casual glance or a quick skim. By using this word correctly, you can precisely describe the act of reading something with close attention to detail.
Whether you’re studying for the GRE or simply aiming to enhance your vocabulary, understanding and correctly using words like perusal will significantly improve your language skills.
