Definition of the word read over

The phrase "read over" is a phrasal verb in the English language, and it describes the action of carefully examining a text by reading it aloud or silently. The meaning of this expression can be traced back to the Old English word "redan," which meant "to read." The origin of the word "read over" can be traced to around 1400, when it was first recorded in the English language. At that time, the meaning of the phrase was similar to the meaning it has today, with the addition of the word "over" meaning "again." The verb "read" is derived from the Old English "redan," which combined the Proto-Germanic roots "ra-," meaning "move, guide," and "git-," meaning "to change or move." This word was related to other Germanic words for "counsel, guide" and "advice." In Old English, the word "redan" also meant "to make sense of" or "understand." This meaning was retained in Middle English, where the word "reden" evolved to mean both "to read" and "to speak" or "discourse." This dual meaning persisted into Early Modern English, where the word "reden" was pronounced "redd" and was replaced by the modern word "read" in the 16th century. In conclusion, the meaning and usage of "read over" can be traced back to the Old English word "redan," and its evolution can give us insights into how the English language has changed over time. Its etymology also highlights the connections between reading, understanding, and communicating in different Germanic languages.