I. ˈsta(a)](ə)r, ˈste], ]ə\ verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English staren, from Old English starian; akin to Middle Dutch staren to stare, Old High German starēn, Old Norse stara to stare, Latin strenuus active, strenuous, Greek stereos solid, Lithuanian starinti to stiffen; basic meaning: stiff
intransitive verb
1.
a. : to look fixedly often with wide-open eyes (as in fear, wonder, surprise, or impudence) : fasten an earnest and prolonged gaze on an object or look blankly into space
he stared into her eyes — Clarissa F. Cushman
staring into the darkness beyond the circle of light — Sherwood Anderson
b. archaic : to glare in anger or madness
2.
a. : to have a blank empty appearance
staring rows of ghostly blue factory windows — American Guide Series: Michigan
b. : to show oneself conspicuously
loneliness … stares between the lines of this volume — V.S.Pritchett
staring white benches against the green — Fletcher Steele
3.
a. of hair : to stand on end : bristle
b. : to appear rough and lusterless — used of the coat of an animal out of condition
transitive verb
1. : to have an effect upon by staring
uncertain whether to stare the eye out of its hole — Christopher Isherwood
2. : to look at with a searching or earnest overall gaze
a fat old lady … with the most extraordinary insolence stared him up and down — H.J.Kaplan
Synonyms: see gaze
•
- stare one in the face
II. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from staren, v.
1. archaic : a state of fear or amazement
2. : the act or an instance of staring : a prolonged fixed gaze (as of fear, astonishment, or admiration)
III. noun
( plural stares also stare )
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English stær — more at starling
archaic : starling