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Webster 1913 Edition

stare

stare

,
Verb.
I.
[
imp. & p. p.
stared
(stârd)
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
staring
.]
[AS.
starian
; akin to LG. & D.
staren
, OHG.
starēn
, G.
starren
, Icel.
stara
; cf. Icel.
stira
, Dan.
stirre
, Sw.
stirra
, and G.
starr
stiff, rigid, fixed, Gr.
στερεόσ
solid (E.
stereo-
), Skr.
sthira
firm, strong. √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.
For ever upon the ground I see thee
stare
.
Chaucer.
Look not big, nor stamp, nor
stare
, nor fret.
Shakespeare
2.
To be very conspicuous on account of size, prominence, color, or brilliancy;
as,
staring
windows or colors
.
3.
To stand out; to project; to bristle.
[Obs.]
Makest my blood cold, and my hair to
stare
.
Shakespeare
Take off all the
staring
straws and jags in the hive.
Mortimer.
Syn. – To gaze; to look earnestly. See
Gaze
.

Webster 1828 Edition

Stare

STARE

,
Noun.
A bird, the starling.

STARE

,
Verb.
I.
The sense then is to open or extend, and it seems to be closely allied to G., stiff, and to starch, stern, which imply straining, tension.]
1.
To gaze; to look with fixed eyes wide open; to fasten an earnest look on some object. Staring is produced by wonder, surprise, stupidity, horror, fright and sometimes by eagerness to hear or learn something, sometimes by impudence. We say, he stared with astonishment.
Look not big, nor stare, nor fret.
2.
To stand out; to be prominent.
Take off all the staring straws and jaggs in the hive. [Not used.]
To stare in the face, to be before the eyes or undeniably evident.
The law stares them int he face, while they are breaking it.

STARE

,
Noun.
A fixed look with eyes wide open.

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