stare

stare [ster]

vi.

stared, staring [ME staren < OE starian, akin to ON stara < Gmc * stara-, having fixed eyes, rigid < IE base * (s)ter-, rigid, stiff > STARK, Gr strēnēs, hard]

1. to gaze or look steadily with eyes wide open, as in fear, admiration, wonder, incomprehension, etc.

2. Now Rare

a) to stand out conspicuously [staring bones]

b) to stand on end, as hair

vt.

1. to look fixedly at [to stare a person up and down]

2. to affect in a given way by staring [to stare someone into confusion]

n.

the act of staring; steady or vacant look or gaze

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stare down

to stare back at (another) until the gaze of the one stared at is turned away

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stare someone in the face

1. to look at someone steadily and intently

2. to be imminent, pressing, or inescapable

starer

n.