perusal

The word 'perusal' is formed from the verb 'peruse' combined with the noun-forming suffix '-al'. 'Peruse' itself entered English in the late 15th century from Middle English 'perusen', meaning to use up or go through. It is built on the Latin prefix 'per-', meaning thoroughly, and the root from 'uti', meaning to use. Thus, the literal sense of "to use thoroughly" evolved into the specific modern meaning of reading or examining something carefully and in detail. The suffix '-al' then converts this action into a noun, naming the act itself.

Structure: peruse (to read) + al (noun suffix) peruse (from Latin 'per-' (thoroughly) + 'uti' (to use)); al (suffix forming nouns of action from verbs, from Latin '-alis')