1. Not searched; unexamined, uninvestigated. a. In predicative use, after leave, go, pass, etc.
1526. Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 131 b. It shall leaue no corner of our soules … vnserched.
a. 1548. Hall, Chron., Edw. V., 7. Watchyng, that no person … should passe vnserched.
1621. Fletcher, Thierry & Theod., V. i. Since you have your tricks … we will not leave a wrinkle of you unsearcht.
1691. T. H[ale], Acc. New Invent., 12. Suffering a Ship … to lye … in Harbour unsearched.
1765. Wilkes, Corr. (1805), II. 138. The two trunks … were suffered to go out of Rome unsearched.
1832. G. Downes, Lett. Cont. Countries, I. 399. The custom-house officers … letting all ours [sc. luggage] pass unsearched.
1865. Dickens, Mut. Fr., III. vi. The chimney was not left unsearched.
b. In attributive use.
1568. Jacob & Esau, I. iii. B j. Whatsoeuer mysterie the Lorde therein ment, Must be referred to his vnserched iudgement.
1615. Chapman, Odyss., XXIV. 640. Pallas spake To Ioue … And askt of him, what his vnsearched mind Held vndiscouer’d.
a. 1649. Crashaw, Carmen Deo Nostro, To C’tess Denbigh, 36. The self-shutt cabinet of an unsearcht soul.
1753. Chambers’ Cycl., Suppl., s.v. Fossile Shells, Other yet unknown or unsearched seas and shores.
1821. Byron, Heaven & Earth, III. 912. The ocean … grasps each drowning hill, Nor leaves an unsearch’d cave.
1879. Farrar, St. Paul, xxxi. II. 24. That unsearched borderland which lies between the natural and the supernatural.
2. Not searched for.
1730. A. Gordon, Maffei’s Amphith., p. x. All which … have been unsearch’d for, and unknown.
