Peruse has a controversial double
meaning due to common misuse. Even dictionaries do not all agree
on the meaning of the word.
The primary meaning for the word peruse is
to read or look at carefully or thoroughly. Its original
meaning is synonymous with words like examine or inspect. The
new definition addressing the misuse cropped up rather recently,
sometime late in the last century.
The new meaning for the word is to skim, to look through in a
casual or selective manner. These definitions have one
suggesting a thorough examination and the other a few simple
glances.
A word with two
potential, opposite meanings is called a contronym, an
autoantonym, or a Janus word. Others include: “To bolt” can mean “to run
away,” but it can also mean “to hold in place.” “Sanction” can
mean “to approve” or “to boycott.”