peruser

Peruser is a noun meaning a person who reads, especially someone who reads carefully or with attention. The term appears most often in formal, literary, or scholarly contexts and can refer to a reader of any medium—books, manuscripts, articles, or documents. In professional settings such as law or academic editing, a peruser may be expected to scrutinize text for errors, inconsistencies, or argumentation.

Etymology and form: Peruser is derived from the verb peruse, with the agent suffix -er. The verb peruse originated in Middle English from Old French and Latin roots, and historically meant to examine or read thoroughly. The noun peruser has been in use since at least the 15th century.

Usage notes: In contemporary English, peruse can be ambiguous: some speakers intend it to mean skim or glance over, while others use it to mean read thoroughly. To avoid ambiguity, writers may pair it with carefully or use the related noun perusal. The plural form is perusers.

Related terms: peruse, perusal, reader, readership.

Examples: The peruser of the manuscript noted several inconsistencies in style and argument. Editors invited multiple perusers to review the draft before final publication. In legal documents, a careful peruser can help ensure accuracy and clarity of provisions.

Overall, peruser is a comparatively formal term for a reader, most appropriate in contexts emphasizing careful examination and critique.