Definition of look over

The phrase "look over" has roots dating back to the Old English language, where it was spelled "lycgan," meaning "to glance at" or "to peep." Over time, the word changed in spelling and pronunciation, becoming "loke" in Middle English, which ultimately led to the modern-day form "look." In Middle English, "over" was used to indicate motion or direction, meaning "across" or "beyond." Pairs of words formed using "over" became common, such as "overbridge" (a bridge spanning a river) and "overhasten" (to hurry hastily). When "look" and "over" came together, the phrase "look over" gained its current meaning of "examine" or "scan" with the added notion of motion or direction. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the earliest written usage of this phrase appears in 1540, when it was recorded in a religious text: "Look over you Closteruers unto God." Since then, the use of "look over" has only grown in prominence, as the need to examine things closely and thoroughly has become a common part of many aspects of our lives. In summary, "look over" is a combination of the Old English "lycgan" and the Middle English "over," which have evolved over time to create a valuable phrase that continues to be used in modern English.