rifling through

[piousoul]

"Now, which one is it...." Mrs O'Neill muttered, rifling through the pile of old magazines that she was now balancing on top of her wheelie bin.
"Ah, no, this one's HOW TO MAKE A MACRAME OWL...."


I've consulted my dictionary, but I didn't find rifling has the meaning of rummaging, which works in this context, my wild guess, right?

Second, is it proper to replace balancing here with putting equally or impartially?

Thanks.

[Casiopea]

From Allwords.com Definition of rifling

rifle (verb) rifled, rifling

tr & intr
1. To search through (eg a house, safe, etc) thoroughly, usually in order to steal something from it.

Thesaurus: rob, ransack, plunder, rummage through, sack, loot, maraud, pillage.

Etymology: 14c: from French rifler to plunder

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Also from Allwords.com

balance (verb), a state of physical stability in which the weight of a body is evenly distributed.

Note, 'putting equally', 'impartially' don't work in that context.

[piousoul]

Originally Posted by Casiopea

From Allwords.com Definition of rifling

rifle (verb) rifled, rifling

tr & intr
1. To search through (eg a house, safe, etc) thoroughly, usually in order to steal something from it.

Thesaurus: rob, ransack, plunder, rummage through, sack, loot, maraud, pillage.

Etymology: 14c: from French rifler to plunder

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Also from Allwords.com

balance (verb), a state of physical stability in which the weight of a body is evenly distributed.

Note, 'putting equally', 'impartially' don't work in that context.

Thanks, Casiopea, for the whole clear picture.

[Casiopea]

You're welcome.