v. & n.
v. 1 intr. (usu. foll. by at) look fixedly with eyes open, esp. as the result of curiosity, surprise, bewilderment, admiration, horror, etc. (sat staring at the door; stared in amazement). 2 intr. (of eyes) be wide open and fixed. 3 intr. be unpleasantly prominent or striking. 4 tr. (foll. by into) reduce (a person) to a specified condition by staring (stared me into silence).
n. a staring gaze. stare down (or out) outstare. stare a person in the face be evident or imminent. starer n.
[ OE starian f. Gmc ]