lookup

or look-up

[ loo k-uhp ]
/ ˈlʊkˌʌp /

noun

an act or instance of looking something up, as information in a reference book or an online database.

Origin of lookup

1945–50 for an earlier sense; noun use of verb phrase look up

Definition for look up (2 of 2)

Origin of look

before 900; (v.) Middle English lōk(i)en, Old English lōcian; cognate with Middle Dutch lœken, akin to dialectal German lugen to look out; (noun) Middle English loke act of looking, glance, countenance, derivative of the v.

SYNONYMS FOR look

1 See watch.
6 See seem.
16 gaze, glance.
17 appearance, air.

British Dictionary definitions for look up (1 of 2)

look up

verb (adverb)

(tr) to discover (something required to be known) by resorting to a work of reference, such as a dictionary
(intr) to increase, as in quality or value things are looking up
(intr foll by to) to have respect (for) I've always wanted a girlfriend I could look up to
(tr) to visit or make contact with (a person) I'll look you up when I'm in town

British Dictionary definitions for look up (2 of 2)

look
/ (lʊk) /

verb (mainly intr)

noun

sentence connector

an expression demanding attention or showing annoyance, determination, etc look, I've had enough of this

Word Origin for look

Old English lōcian; related to Middle Dutch læken, Old High German luogen to look out

usage for look

See at like 1

Idioms and Phrases with look up (1 of 2)

look up

1

Search for in a book or other source, as in I told her to look up the word in the dictionary. [Late 1600s]

2

Call on or visit, as in I'm going to look up my friend in Chicago. [Mid-1800s]

3

Become better, improve, as in Business is finally looking up. [c. 1800]

4

look up to. Admire, respect, as in The students really looked up to Mr. Jones. [Early 1700s]

Idioms and Phrases with look up (2 of 2)

look