stare Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a fixed look with eyes open wide
  2. verb look at with fixed eyes
    gaze.
    • The students stared at the teacher with amazement
  3. verb fixate one's eyes
    • The ancestor in the painting is staring down menacingly

WordNet

Stare noun
Etymology
AS. stær. See Starling.
Definitions
  1. (Zoöl.) The starling. Obs.
Stare intransitive verb
Etymology
AS. starian; akin to LG. & D. staren, OHG. staren, G. starren, Icel. stara; cf. Icel. stira, Dan. stirre, Sw. stirra, and G. starr stiff, rigid, fixed, Gr. solid (E. stereo-), Skr. sthira firm, strong. *166. Cf. Sterile.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle stared ; present participle & verbal noun staring
Definitions
  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. Shak.
  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. Shak.
    Take off all the staring straws and jags in the hive. Mortimer.
    Syn. -- To gaze; to look earnestly. See Gaze.
Stare transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To look earnestly at; to gaze at.
    I will stare him out of his wits. Shak.
Stare noun
Definitions
  1. The act of staring; a fixed look with eyes wide open. "A dull and stupid stare." Churchill.

Webster 1913