scrutare

to scrutinize

verb skroo-TAH-reh Rare

Origin: From Latin scrutari, 'to search thoroughly'.

Also means

to scan

Usage Note

Scrutare implies a careful, searching gaze — studying a face for clues, scanning the horizon, or probing someone's expression. It is more literary than guardare (to look) or osservare (to observe). It takes avere as its auxiliary: ha scrutato il cielo (he scanned the sky). The related noun is scrutinio (scrutiny, ballot count).

Examples

"Scrutò il suo viso in cerca di emozioni."

Natural Translation

He scrutinized her face looking for emotions.

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