n.
Pronunciation: ' der
Function: verb
Inflected Form: dared ; dar · ing ; dares or (auxiliary) dare
Etymology: Middle English dar (1st & 3d singular present indicative), from Old English dear; akin to Old High German gi tar (1st & 3d singular present indicative) dare, Greek tharsos courage
Date: before 12th century
verbal auxiliary : to be sufficiently courageous to <no one dared say a word> <she dare not let herself love ― G. B. Shaw>
intransitive verb : to have sufficient courage <try it if you dare >
transitive verb
1 a : to challenge to perform an action especially as a proof of courage < dared him to jump> b : to confront boldly : DEFY < dared the anger of his family>
2 : to have the courage to contend against, venture, or try <the actress dared a new interpretation of this classic role>
– dar · er \ ' der- ə r \ noun