perusal

Imagine a detective carefully going through evidence. That's perusal. It is more than just reading. It is a slow, careful look at something, often for a clear reason. You would not simply read a contract before signing it; you would give it a thorough perusal to make sure you understand every part. A quick glance is not enough. It calls for full attention and careful thought.

To give something your perusal means to read or examine it carefully and thoroughly. It implies a deliberate, attentive approach, going beyond simply skimming the surface. While you might read a novel for enjoyment, you would peruse a legal document before signing it, or peruse a manuscript while searching for errors.

It is most often used in formal contexts. You are more likely to hear "Please give this report your perusal" in an office than in a casual conversation. The word comes from peruse, and in modern English it usually suggests close reading or careful inspection.

Sometimes people use it more loosely to mean simply looking through something, but the stronger and more common sense is careful reading or examination. This is not limited to text. You can peruse a list of candidates, peruse artwork in a gallery, or peruse a restaurant menu with real attention. If something needs more than a quick look, it may deserve your perusal.