Stare, v. i. [imp. & p.
p. stared (?); 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. ? 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.
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 (?), v. t. To look earnestly
at; to gaze at.
I will stare him out of his wits.
Shak.
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.
Stare, n. The act of staring; a
fixed look with eyes wide open. "A dull and stupid
stare." Churchill.
Stare (?), n. [AS. stær.
See Starling.] (Zoöl.) The starling.
[Obs.]