The Verbs of Information Access

Often, information access is viewed as a simple operation of knowing
you want something, searching for it, and finding it. This hardly
describes real information access as it happens in the context of
knowledge work. To begin with, it's hard to tease apart the acts of
understanding or consuming the information from the acts of obtaining
or assessing the information.

Below I've collected many verbs related to either information access
or assimilation. Just browsing these definitions "educes" a sense of
the true richness of information work.

================================================================ All definitions from Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary
================================================================

analyze
1 : to study or determine the nature and relationship of the parts of
by analysis <analyze a traffic pattern>
2 : to subject to scientific or grammatical analysis
3 : PSYCHOANALYZE

synonyms ANALYZE, DISSECT, BREAK DOWN mean to divide a complex whole
into its parts or elements. ANALYZE suggests separating or
distinguishing the component parts of something (as a substance, a
process, a situation) so as to discover its true nature or inner
relationships <analyzed the problem of the trade deficit>. DISSECT
suggests a searching analysis by laying bare parts or pieces for
individual scrutiny <commentators dissected every word of the
President's statement>. BREAK DOWN implies a reducing to simpler parts
or divisions <break down the budget>.

arrange, transitive senses
1 : to make preparations for : PLAN <arranged a reception for the
visitor>
2 : to put into a proper order or into a correct or suitable sequence,
relationship, or adjustment <arrange flowers in a vase> <arrange cards
alphabetically>
3 a : to adapt (a musical composition) by scoring for voices or
instruments other than those for which orig. written b : ORCHESTRATE
4 : to bring about an agreement or understanding concerning : SETTLE
<arrange an exchange of war prisoners>
intransitive senses
1 : to bring about an agreement or understanding <arranged to have a
table at the restaurant>
2 : to make preparations : PLAN <arranged for a vacation with his family>
synonym see ORDER

assess
1 : to determine the rate or amount of (as a tax)
2 a : to impose (as a tax) according to an established rate b : to
subject to a tax, charge, or levy
3 : to make an official valuation of (property) for the purposes of taxation
4 : to determine the importance, size, or value of
5 : to charge (a player or team) with a foul or penalty
synonym see ESTIMATE

categorize, transitive
: to put into a category : CLASSIFY

category, noun
1 : any of several fundamental and distinct classes to which entities
or concepts belong
2 : a division within a system of classification

classify, transitive
1 : to arrange in classes <classifying books according to subject matter>
2 : to assign (as a document) to a category

class, noun
1 a : a body of students meeting regularly to study the same subject b
: the period during which such a body meets c : a course of
instruction d : a body of students or alumni whose year of graduation
is the same
2 a : a group sharing the same economic or social status <the working
class> b : social rank; especially : high social rank c : high quality
: ELEGANCE
3 : a group, set, or kind sharing common attributes: as a : a major
category in biological taxonomy ranking above the order and below the
phylum or division b : a collection of adjacent and discrete or
continuous values of a random variable c : SET 21
4 : a division or rating based on grade or quality
5 : the best of its kind <the class of the league>

compare
1 : to represent as similar : LIKEN <shall I compare thee to a
summer's day? -- Shakespeare>
2 a : to examine the character or qualities of especially in order to
discover resemblances or differences <compare your responses with the
answers> b : to view in relation to <tall compared to me>
3 : to inflect or modify (an adjective or adverb) according to the
degrees of comparison

synonyms COMPARE, CONTRAST, COLLATE mean to set side by side in order
to show differences and likenesses. COMPARE implies an aim of showing
relative values or excellences by bringing out characteristic
qualities whether similar or divergent <compared the convention
facilities of the two cities>. CONTRAST implies an emphasis on
differences <contrasted the computerized system with the old filing
cards>. COLLATE implies minute and critical inspection in order to
note points of agreement or divergence <data from districts around the
country will be collated>.

contrast
to set off in contrast : compare or appraise in respect to differences
<contrast European and American manners> -- often used with to or with
<contrasting her with other women -- Victoria Sackville-West>

collate
1 a : to compare critically b : to collect , compare carefully in
order to verify, and often to integrate or arrange in order
2 [Latin collatus, past participle] : to institute (a cleric) to a
benefice
3 a : to verify the order of (printed sheets) b : to assemble in
proper order; especially : to assemble (as printed sheets) in order
for binding

estimate
1 archaic a : ESTEEM b : APPRAISE
2 a : to judge tentatively or approximately the value, worth, or
significance of b : to determine roughly the size, extent, or nature
of c : to produce a statement of the approximate cost of
3 : JUDGE, CONCLUDE

synonyms ESTIMATE, APPRAISE, EVALUATE, VALUE, RATE, ASSESS mean to
judge something with respect to its worth or significance. ESTIMATE
implies a judgment, considered or casual, that precedes or takes the
place of actual measuring or counting or testing out <estimated the
crowd at two hundred>. APPRAISE commonly implies the fixing by an
expert of the monetary worth of a thing, but it may be used of any
critical judgment <having their house appraised>. EVALUATE suggests an
attempt to determine relative or intrinsic worth in terms other than
monetary <evaluate a student's work>. VALUE equals APPRAISE but
without implying expertness of judgment <a watercolor valued by the
donor at $500>. RATE adds to ESTIMATE the notion of placing a thing
according to a scale of values <a highly rated restaurant>. ASSESS
implies a critical appraisal for the purpose of understanding or
interpreting, or as a guide in taking action <officials are trying to
assess the damage>.

evaluate
1 : to determine or fix the value of
2 : to determine the significance, worth, or condition of usually by
careful appraisal and study
synonym see ESTIMATE

extract
1 a : to draw forth (as by research) <extract data> b : to pull or
take out forcibly <extracted a wisdom tooth> c : to obtain by much
effort from someone unwilling <extracted a confession>
2 : to withdraw (as a juice or fraction) by physical or chemical
process; also : to treat with a solvent so as to remove a soluble
substance
3 : to separate (a metal) from an ore
4 : to determine (a mathematical root) by calculation
5 : to select (excerpts) and copy out or cite
synonym see EDUCE

educe
1 : to bring out (as something latent)
2 : DEDUCE

synonyms EDUCE, EVOKE, ELICIT, EXTRACT, EXTORT mean to draw out
something hidden, latent, or reserved. EDUCE implies the bringing out
of something potential or latent <educed order out of chaos>. EVOKE
implies a strong stimulus that arouses an emotion or an interest or
recalls an image or memory <a song that evokes warm memories>. ELICIT
usually implies some effort or skill in drawing forth a response
<careful questioning elicited the truth>. EXTRACT implies the use of
force or pressure in obtaining answers or information <extracted a
confession from him>. EXTORT suggests a wringing or wresting from one
who resists strongly <extorted their cooperation by threatening to
inform>.

find
transitive senses
1 a : to come upon often accidentally : ENCOUNTER b : to meet with (a
particular reception) <hoped to find favor>
2 a : to come upon by searching or effort <must find a suitable person
for the job> b : to discover by study or experiment <find an answer> c
: to obtain by effort or management <find the time to study> d :
ATTAIN, REACH <the bullet found its mark>
3 a : to discover by the intellect or the feelings : EXPERIENCE <find
much pleasure in your company> b : to perceive (oneself) to be in a
certain place or condition c : to gain or regain the use or power of
<trying to find his tongue> d : to bring (oneself) to a realization of
one's powers or of one's proper sphere of activity <must help the
student to find himself as an individual -- N. M. Pusey>
4 a : PROVIDE, SUPPLY b : to furnish (room and board) especially as a
condition of employment
5 : to determine and make a statement about <find a verdict> <found her guilty>
intransitive senses : to determine a case judicially by a verdict
<find for the defendant>

index
1 a : to provide with an index b : to list in an index <all persons
and places mentioned are carefully indexed>
2 : to serve as an index of
3 : to regulate (as wages, prices, or interest rates) by indexation
intransitive senses : to index something

index, noun
1 a : a device (as the pointer on a scale or the gnomon of a sundial)
that serves to indicate a value or quantity b : something (as a
physical feature or a mode of expression) that leads one to a
particular fact or conclusion : INDICATION
2 : a list (as of bibliographical information or citations to a body
of literature) arranged usually in alphabetical order of some
specified datum (as author, subject, or keyword): as a : a list of
items (as topics or names) treated in a printed work that gives for
each item the page number where it may be found b : THUMB INDEX c : a
bibliographical analysis of groups of publications that is usually
published periodically
3 : a list of restricted or prohibited material; specifically
capitalized : a list of books the reading of which is prohibited or
restricted for Roman Catholics by the church authorities
4 plural usually indices : a number or symbol or expression (as an
exponent) associated with another to indicate a mathematical operation
to be performed or to indicate use or position in an arrangement
5 : a character <fist> used to direct attention to a note or paragraph
-- called also fist
6 a : a number (as a ratio) derived from a series of observations and
used as an indicator or measure; specifically : INDEX NUMBER b : the
ratio of one dimension of a thing (as an anatomical structure) to
another dimension

locate
1 : to determine or indicate the place, site, or limits of
2 : to set or establish in a particular spot : STATION
3 : to seek out and determine the location of
4 : to find or fix the place of especially in a sequence : CLASSIFY

order
1 : to put in order : ARRANGE
2 a : to give an order to : COMMAND b : DESTINE, ORDAIN c : to command
to go or come to a specified place d : to give an order for <order a
meal>
intransitive senses
1 : to bring about order : REGULATE
2 a : to issue orders : COMMAND b : to give or place an order

synonyms ORDER, ARRANGE, MARSHAL, ORGANIZE, SYSTEMATIZE, METHODIZE
mean to put persons or things into their proper places in relation to
each other. ORDER suggests a straightening out so as to eliminate
confusion <ordered her business affairs>. ARRANGE implies a setting in
sequence, relationship, or adjustment <arranged the files
numerically>. MARSHAL suggests gathering and arranging in preparation
for a particular operation or effective use <marshaling the facts for
argument>. ORGANIZE implies arranging so that the whole aggregate
works as a unit with each element having a proper function <organized
the volunteers into teams>. SYSTEMATIZE implies arranging according to
a predetermined scheme <systematized billing procedures>. METHODIZE
suggests imposing an orderly procedure rather than a fixed scheme
<methodizes every aspect of daily living>. synonym see in addition
COMMAND

organize
1 : to cause to develop an organic structure
2 : to form into a coherent unity or functioning whole : INTEGRATE
<trying to organize her thoughts>
3 a : to set up an administrative structure for b : to persuade to
associate in an organization; especially : UNIONIZE
4 : to arrange by systematic planning and united effort
intransitive senses
1 : to undergo physical or organic organization
2 : to arrange elements into a whole of interdependent parts
3 : to form an organization; specifically : to form or persuade
workers to join a union
synonym see ORDER

search
transitive senses
1 : to look into or over carefully or thoroughly in an effort to find
or discover something: as a : to examine in seeking something
<searched the north field> b : to look through or explore by
inspecting possible places of concealment or investigating suspicious
circumstances c : to read thoroughly : CHECK; especially : to examine
a public record or register for information about <search land titles>
d : to examine for articles concealed on the person e : to look at as
if to discover or penetrate intention or nature
2 : to uncover, find, or come to know by inquiry or scrutiny --
usually used with out
intransitive senses
1 : to look or inquire carefully <searched for the papers>
2 : to make painstaking investigation or examination

sequence, verb
1 : to arrange in a sequence
2 : to determine the sequence of chemical constituents (as amino-acid
residues) in <sequenced biological macromolecules>

sequence, noun
1 : a hymn in irregular meter between the gradual and Gospel in masses
for special occasions (as Easter)
2 : a continuous or connected series: as a : an extended series of
poems united by a single theme <a sonnet sequence> b : three or more
playing cards usually of the same suit in consecutive order of rank c
: a succession of repetitions of a melodic phrase or harmonic pattern
each in a new position d : a set of elements ordered so that they can
be labeled with the positive integers e (1) : a succession of related
shots or scenes developing a single subject or phase of a film story
(2) : EPISODE
3 a : order of succession b : an arrangement of the tenses of
successive verbs in a sentence designed to express a coherent
relationship especially between main and subordinate parts
4 a : CONSEQUENCE, RESULT b : a subsequent development
5 : continuity of progression

summarize
transitive senses : to tell in or reduce to a summary
intransitive senses : to make a summary

summary
1 : COMPREHENSIVE; especially : covering the main points succinctly
2 a : done without delay or formality : quickly executed <a summary
dismissal> b : of, relating to, or using a summary proceeding <a
summary trial>
synonym see CONCISE

survey
1 a : to examine as to condition, situation, or value : APPRAISE b :
to query (someone) in order to collect data for the analysis of some
aspect of a group or area
2 : to determine and delineate the form, extent, and position of (as a
tract of land) by taking linear and angular measurements and by
applying the principles of geometry and trigonometry
3 : to view or consider comprehensively
4 : INSPECT, SCRUTINIZE <he surveyed us in a lordly way -- Alan Harrington>
intransitive senses : to make a survey

visualize
to make visible: as a : to see or form a mental image of : ENVISAGE b
: to make (an organ) visible by roentgenographic visualization
intransitive senses : to form a mental visual image