— darer , n.
/dair/ , v. , dared or ( Archaic ) durst; dared; daring; pres. sing. 3rd pers. dares or dare , n.
v.i.
1. to have the necessary courage or boldness for something; be bold enough: You wouldn't dare!
v.t.
2. to have the boldness to try; venture; hazard.
3. to meet defiantly; face courageously.
4. to challenge or provoke (a person) into a demonstration of courage; defy: to dare a man to fight.
5. dare say , daresay.
auxiliary v.
6. to have the necessary courage or boldness to (used chiefly in questions and negatives): How dare you speak to me like that? He dare not mention the subject again.
n.
7. an act of daring or defiance; challenge.
[ bef. 900; ME dar (v.), OE dear ( r ), 1st and 3rd person sing. pres. indic. of durran; akin to OHG gitarran ]
Syn. 1. DARE, VENTURE imply involvement in risks and dangers. DARE emphasizes the state of mind that makes one willing to meet danger: He dared to do what he knew was right. VENTURE emphasizes the act of doing something that involves risk: He ventured into deep water. 2. hazard, risk, brave.