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fouiller

to search

verb foo-YEH Less Common
Mind & Emotions Mental States

Also means

to rummage through

Usage Note

Fouiller implies a thorough, hands-on search — rummaging through bags, digging through drawers, or excavating a site. Police fouillent suspects (frisk them), and archaeologists fouillent a site (excavate it). It is more physical and intensive than chercher (to look for).

Examples

"Il fouille dans ses poches pour trouver ses clés."

Natural Translation

He rummages through his pockets to find his keys.

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