— starer , n. — staringly , adv.
/stair/ , v. , stared, staring , n.
v.i.
1. to gaze fixedly and intently, esp. with the eyes wide open.
2. to be boldly or obtrusively conspicuous: The bright modern painting stares out at you in the otherwise conservative gallery.
3. (of hair, feathers, etc.) to stand on end; bristle.
v.t.
4. to stare at: to stare a person up and down.
5. to effect or have a certain effect on by staring: to stare one out of countenance.
6. stare down , to cause to become uncomfortable by gazing steadily at one; overcome by staring: A nonsmoker at the next table tried to stare me down.
7. stare one in the face , to be urgent or impending; confront: The income-tax deadline is staring us in the face.
n.
8. a staring gaze; a fixed look with the eyes wide open: The banker greeted him with a glassy stare.
[ bef. 900; ME staren, OE starian; c. D staren, G starren, ON stara; akin to STARK, STARVE ]
Syn. 1. See gaze .