find
find / fīnd/ • v. (past found) [tr.] 1. discover or perceive by chance or unexpectedly: Lindsey looked up to find Neil watching her. ∎ discover (someone or something) after a deliberate search: in this climate it could be hard to find a buyer. ∎ (find oneself) discover oneself to be in a surprising or unexpected situation: phobia sufferers often find themselves virtual prisoners in their own home. ∎ succeed in obtaining (something): she also found the time to raise five children. ∎ summon up (a quality, esp. courage) with an effort: I found the courage to speak.2. (often be found) recognize or discover (something) to be present: vitamin B12 is found in dairy products. ∎ become aware of; discover to be the case: [tr.] the majority of staff find the magazine to be informative and useful. ∎ ascertain (something) by study, calculation, or inquiry: attempts to find solutions. ∎ (find oneself) discover the fundamental truths about one's own character and identity: I did psychotherapy for years—I wanted to find myself. ∎ Law (of a court) officially declare to be the case: [tr.] he was found guilty of speeding the court found that a police lab expert had fabricated evidence. 3. (of a thing) reach or arrive at, either of its own accord or without the human agent being known: water finds its own level. ∎ (find one's way) reach one's destination by one's own efforts, without knowing in advance how to get there: he found his way to the front door. ∎ (find one's way) come to be in a certain situation: each and every boy found his way into a suitable occupation.• n. a discovery of something valuable, typically something of archaeological interest: he made his most spectacular finds in the Valley of the Kings this resort is a real find. ∎ a person who is discovered to be useful or interesting in some way: Paul had been a real find—he could design the whole hotel complex.PHRASES: find favor be liked or prove acceptable: the ballets did not find favor with the public.find God experience a religious conversion or awakening.PHRASAL VERBS: find against Law (of a court) make a decision against or judge to be guilty.find for (or find in favor of) Law (of a court) make a decision in favor of or judge to be innocent: a jury found for the plaintiff.find someone out detect a person's offensive or immoral actions: she would always find him out if he tried to lie.find something out (or find out about something) discover a fact: he hadn't time to find out what was bothering her.
find
1. One of the basic actions performed on sets that, when applied in the form find(el)
produces the set of which el is currently a member; if el is in no set or in more than one set the effect of the operation is undefined. See also operations on sets.
2. In word processing, another name for search.