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.
Phrases and idioms:
stare down (or out) outstare. stare a person in the face be evident or imminent.
Derivatives:
starer n.
Etymology: OE starian f. Gmc