v., n., & int.
v. 1 a intr. (often foll. by at) use one's sight; turn one's eyes in some direction. b tr. turn one's eyes on; contemplate or examine (looked me in the eyes). 2 intr. a make a visual or mental search (I'll look in the morning). b (foll. by at) consider, examine (we must look at the facts). 3 intr. (foll. by for) a search for. b hope or be on the watch for. c expect. 4 intr. inquire (when one looks deeper). 5 intr. have a specified appearance; seem (look a fool; look foolish). 6 intr. (foll. by to) a consider; take care of; be careful about (look to the future). b rely on (a person or thing) (you can look to me for support). c expect; count on; aim at. 7 intr. (foll. by into) investigate or examine. 8 tr. (foll. by what, where, etc. + clause) ascertain or observe by sight (look where we are). 9 intr. (of a thing) face or be turned, or have or afford an outlook, in a specified direction. 10 tr. express, threaten, or show (an emotion etc.) by one's looks. 11 intr. (foll. by that + clause) take care; make sure. 12 intr. (foll. by to + infin.) expect (am looking to finish this today).
n. 1 an act of looking; the directing of the eyes to look at a thing or person; a glance (a scornful look). 2 (in sing. or pl.) the appearance of a face; a person's expression or personal aspect. 3 the (esp. characteristic) appearance of a thing (the place has a European look).
int. (also look here!) calling attention, expressing a protest, etc. look after 1 attend to; take care of. 2 follow with the eye. 3 seek for. look one's age appear to be as old as one really is. look-alike a person or thing closely resembling another (a Prince Charles look-alike). look alive (or lively) colloq. be brisk and alert. look as if suggest by appearance the belief that (it looks as if he's gone). look back 1 (foll. by on, upon, to) turn one's thoughts to (something past). 2 (usu. with neg.) cease to progress (since then we have never looked back). 3 Brit. make a further visit later. look before you leap avoid precipitate action. look daggers see DAGGER. look down on (or upon or look down one's nose at) regard with contempt or a feeling of superiority. look for trouble see TROUBLE. look forward to await (an expected event) eagerly or with specified feelings. look in make a short visit or call. look-in n. colloq. 1 an informal call or visit. 2 a chance of participation or success (never gets a look-in). look a person in the eye (or eyes or face) look directly and unashamedly at him or her. look like 1 have the appearance of. 2 Brit. seem to be (they look like winning). 3 threaten or promise (it looks like rain). 4 indicate the presence of (it looks like woodworm). look on 1 (often foll. by as) regard (looks on you as a friend; looked on them with disfavour). 2 be a spectator; avoid participation. look oneself appear in good health (esp. after illness etc.). look out 1 direct one's sight or put one's head out of a window etc. 2 (often foll. by for) be vigilant or prepared. 3 (foll. by on, over, etc.) have or afford a specified outlook. 4 search for and produce (shall look one out for you). look over 1 inspect or survey (looked over the house). 2 examine (a document etc.) esp. cursorily (shall look it over). look round 1 look in every or another direction. 2 examine the objects of interest in a place (you must come and look round sometime). 3 examine the possibilities etc. with a view to deciding on a course of action. look-see colloq. a survey or inspection. look sharp act promptly; make haste (orig. = keep strict watch). look small see SMALL. look through 1 examine the contents of, esp. cursorily. 2 penetrate (a pretence or pretender) with insight. 3 ignore by pretending not to see (I waved, but you just looked through me). look up 1 search for (esp. information in a book). 2 colloq. go to visit (a person) (had intended to look them up). 3 raise one's eyes (looked up when I went in). 4 improve, esp. in price, prosperity, or well-being (things are looking up all round). look a person up and down scrutinize a person keenly or contemptuously. look up to respect or venerate. not like the look of find alarming or suspicious. -looking adj. (in comb.).
[ OE locian f. WG ]