Emily Dickinson Lexicon

SCRU'TI-NY, n. [Fr. scrutin; It. scrutinio; Sp. escrutinio; Low L. scrutinium, from scrutor, to search closely, to pry into; Sax. scrudnian; Ir. scrudam.]

1. Close search; minute inquiry; critical examination; as, a scrutiny of votes; narrower scrutiny. In the heat of debate, observations may escape a prudent man which will not bear the test of scrutiny.
2. In the primitive church, an examination of catechumens in the last week of Lent, who were to receive baptism on Easter-day. This was performed with prayers, exorcisms and many other ceremonies. – Encyc.
3. In the canon law, a ticket or little paper billet on which a vote is written. Encyc.