Perusal

Perusal is the act of reading or examining something with careful attention. As a noun, it denotes the process or result of close study, rather than casual reading. The term is closely tied to the related verb peruse, which means to read or inspect with deliberate attention.

Origin and usage: The word perusal is rooted in the sense of examining written material. In historical usage, peruse could imply thorough scrutiny, while in contemporary practice the verb peruse is often used to mean simply to read; the noun retains the sense of deliberate examination. The phrase "for your perusal" is common in formal correspondence to indicate material is being presented for review.

Context and nuance: In legal, administrative, or scholarly writing, perusal signals a careful engagement with the text. It can also suggest that the reader is expected to consider details before forming a judgment. Because modern usage sometimes suggests a lighter reading, some style guides recommend using "read" or "review" to avoid ambiguity.

See also: peruse (verb).