Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Look?

\Look\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Looked}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Looking}.] [OE. loken, AS. l[=o]cian; akin to G. lugen, OHG. luog[=e]n.] 1. To direct the eyes for the purpose of seeing something; to direct the eyes toward an object; to observe with the eyes while keeping them directed; -- with various prepositions, often in a special or figurative sense. See Phrases below. 2. To direct the attention (to something); to consider; to examine; as, to look at an action. 3. To seem; to appear; to have a particular appearance; as, the patient looks better; the clouds look rainy. It would look more like vanity than gratitude. --Addison. Observe how such a practice looks in another person. --I. Watts. 4. To have a particular direction or situation; to face; to front. The inner gate that looketh to north. --Ezek. viii. 3. The east gate . . . which looketh eastward. --Ezek. xi. 1. 5. In the imperative: see; behold; take notice; take care; observe; -- used to call attention. Look, how much we thus expel of sin, so much we expel of virtue. --Milton. Note: Look, in the imperative, may be followed by a dependent sentence, but see is oftener so used. Look that ye bind them fast. --Shak. Look if it be my daughter. --Talfourd. 6. To show one's self in looking, as by leaning out of a window; as, look out of the window while I speak to you. Sometimes used figuratively. My toes look through the overleather. --Shak. 7. To await the appearance of anything; to expect; to anticipate. Looking each hour into death's mouth to fall. --Spenser. {To look about}, to look on all sides, or in different directions. {To look about one}, to be on the watch; to be vigilant; to be circumspect or guarded. {To look after}. (a) To attend to; to take care of; as, to look after children. (b) To expect; to be in a state of expectation. Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth. --Luke xxi. 26. (c) To seek; to search. My subject does not oblige me to look after the water, or point forth the place where to it is now retreated. --Woodward. {To look at}, to direct the eyes toward so that one sees, or as if to see; as, to look at a star; hence, to observe, examine, consider; as, to look at a matter without prejudice. {To look black}, to frown; to scowl; to have a threatening appearance. The bishops thereat repined, and looked black. --Holinshed. {To look down on} or {upon}, to treat with indifference or contempt; to regard as an inferior; to despise. {To look for}. (a) To expect; as, to look for news by the arrival of a ship. ``Look now for no enchanting voice.'' --Milton. (b) To seek for; to search for; as, to look for lost money, or lost cattle. {To look forth}. (a) To look out of something, as from a window. (b) To threaten to come out. --Jer. vi. 1. (Rev. Ver.). {To look into}, to inspect closely; to observe narrowly; to examine; as, to look into the works of nature; to look into one's conduct or affairs. {To look on}. (a) To regard; to esteem. Her friends would look on her the worse. --Prior. (b) To consider; to view; to conceive of; to think of. I looked on Virgil as a succinct, majestic writer. --Dryden. (c) To be a mere spectator. I'll be a candleholder, and look on. --Shak. {To look out}, to be on the watch; to be careful; as, the seaman looks out for breakers. {To look through}. (a) To see through. (b) To search; to examine with the eyes. {To look to} or {unto}. (a) To watch; to take care of. ``Look well to thy herds.'' --Prov. xxvii. 23. (b) To resort to with expectation of receiving something; to expect to receive from; as, the creditor may look to surety for payment. ``Look unto me, and be ye saved.'' --Is. xlv. 22. {To look up}, to search for or find out by looking; as, to look up the items of an account. {To look up to}, to respect; to regard with deference.
\Look\, v. t. 1. To look at; to turn the eyes toward. 2. To seek; to search for. [Obs.] Looking my love, I go from place to place. --Spenser. 3. To expect. [Obs.] --Shak. 4. To influence, overawe, or subdue by looks or presence as, to look down opposition. A spirit fit to start into an empire, And look the world to law. --Dryden. 5. To express or manifest by a look. Soft eyes looked love to eyes which spake again. --Byron. {To look daggers}. See under {Dagger}. {To look in the face}, to face or meet with boldness or confidence; hence, sometimes, to meet for combat. {To look out}, to seek for; as, prudent persons look out associates good reputation.
\Look\, n. 1. The act of looking; a glance; a sight; a view; -- often in certain phrases; as, to have, get, take, throw, or cast, a look. Threw many a northward look to see his father Bring up his powers; but he did long in vain. --Shak. 2. Expression of the eyes and face; manner; as, a proud or defiant look. ``Gentle looks.'' --Shak. Up ! up! my friends, and clear your looks. --Wordsworth. 3. Hence; Appearance; aspect; as, the house has a gloomy look; the affair has a bad look. Pain, disgrace, and poverty have frighted looks. --Locke. There was something that reminded me of Dante's Hell in the look of this. --Carlyle.