Why does the word mean both examine or consider with attention and in AND look over through a casual cursory as they seem somewhat contradictory?

You are right to point out the seeming contradiction in the meanings of "look over." It's true that it can mean both:

* Careful Examination: "The doctor looked over the patient's x-rays." Here, "look over" implies a thorough and detailed inspection.

* Casual Glance: "I looked over the newspaper while I ate breakfast." Here, "look over" suggests a quick and superficial view.

This seeming contradiction arises because language is dynamic and flexible. Words evolve over time, and their meanings can shift depending on context.

Here's why "look over" can have these seemingly opposite meanings:

* Etymology: "Look over" literally means "to look from above," which inherently suggests some level of scrutiny.

* Context: The context of the sentence heavily influences the meaning. The presence of other words or phrases, as well as the overall situation, gives clues about the intended meaning.

* Figurative Language: Sometimes, "look over" is used figuratively to suggest a more superficial view, even if a literal examination is not occurring. For example, "I looked over my work, but I didn't find any errors."

In essence, "look over" is a versatile word that can convey both a careful and a casual approach to looking at something. It is important to pay attention to the context to determine the intended meaning.