dictionary definitions for "stare"


From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:

  stare
      n 1: a fixed look with eyes open wide
      v 1: look at with fixed eyes; "The students stared at the
           teacher with amazement" [syn: gaze, stare]
      2: fixate one's eyes; "The ancestor in the painting is staring
         down menacingly"

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Stare \Stare\ (st[^a]r), n. [AS. staer. See Starling.] (Zool.)
     The starling. [Obs.]
     [1913 Webster]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  stare \stare\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. stared (st[^a]rd); p. pr. &
     vb. n. staring.] [AS. starian; akin to LG. & D. staren,
     OHG. star[=e]n, G. starren, Icel. stara; cf. Icel. stira,
     Dan. stirre, Sw. stirra, and G. starr stiff, rigid, fixed,
     Gr. stereo`s solid (E. stereo-), Skr. sthira firm, strong.
     [root]166. Cf. Sterile.]
     1. To look with fixed eyes wide open, as through fear,
        wonder, surprise, impudence, etc.; to fasten an earnest
        and prolonged gaze on some object.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              For ever upon the ground I see thee stare.
                                                    --Chaucer.
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              Look not big, nor stamp, nor stare, nor fret.
                                                    --Shak.
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     2. To be very conspicuous on account of size, prominence,
        color, or brilliancy; as, staring windows or colors.
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     3. To stand out; to project; to bristle. [Obs.]
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              Makest my blood cold, and my hair to stare. --Shak.
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              Take off all the staring straws and jags in the
              hive.                                 --Mortimer.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Syn: To gaze; to look earnestly. See Gaze.
          [1913 Webster]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Stare \Stare\ (st[^a]r), v. t.
     To look earnestly at; to gaze at.
     [1913 Webster]
  
           I will stare him out of his wits.        --Shak.
     [1913 Webster]
  
     To stare in the face, to be before the eyes, or to be
        undeniably evident. "The law . . . stares them in the face
        whilst they are breaking it." --Locke.
        [1913 Webster]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Stare \Stare\, n.
     The act of staring; a fixed look with eyes wide open. "A dull
     and stupid stare." --Churchill.
     [1913 Webster]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Starling \Star"ling\ (-l[i^]ng), n. [OE. sterlyng, a dim. of OE.
     stare, AS. staer; akin to AS. stearn, G. star, staar, OHG.
     stara, Icel. starri, stari, Sw. stare, Dan. staer, L.
     sturnus. Cf. Stare a starling.]
     1. (Zool.) Any passerine bird belonging to Sturnus and
        allied genera. The European starling (Sturnus vulgaris)
        is dark brown or greenish black, with a metallic gloss,
        and spotted with yellowish white. It is a sociable bird,
        and builds about houses, old towers, etc. Called also
        stare, and starred. The pied starling of India is
        Sternopastor contra.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Zool.) A California fish; the rock trout.
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     3. A structure of piles driven round the piers of a bridge
        for protection and support; -- called also sterling.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Rose-colored starling. (Zool.) See Pastor.
        [1913 Webster]


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