verb
Etymology: Middle English looken doun, from looken to look + doun down
intransitive verb
1.
a. : to direct one's gaze in a downward direction especially from an elevated position
the gods looked down from on high
looked down upon the servants … as if they had been pygmies — Jonathan Swift
b. : to become located in a position that affords a downward view
the window looks down upon the courtyard
the high plains looked down upon the lower areas — R.A.Billington
2. : to assume an attitude of contempt or scorn — usually used with on
tended to look down on the other Italians — William Barrett
the liberal arts colleges looked down on teacher training — F.M.Hechinger
transitive verb
: to overcome (someone) by use of the eyes
never could look the boy down — Charles Dickens