American Dictionary of the English Language

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Pore


PORE, noun [Gr. to go, to pass.; Eng. to fare. See Fare.]

1. In anatomy, a minute interstice in the skin of an animal, through which the perspirable matter passes to the surface or is excreted.

2. A small spiracle, opening or passage in other substances; as the pores of plants or of stones.

PORE, verb intransitive [Gr. to inspect.] To look with steady continued attention or application. To pore on, is to read or examine with steady perseverance, to dwell on; and the word seems to be limited in its application to the slow patient reading or examination of books, or something written or engraved.

Painfully to pore upon a book.

With sharpened sight pale antiquaries pore