Look (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Looked (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Looking.] [OE. loken, AS. l&omac;cian; akin to G. lugen, OHG. luog&emac;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.

Look, in the imperative, may be followed by a dependent sentence, but see is oftener so used.<-- See spot run? in 1990, the reverse is true -->

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 onupon, 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 tounto. (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.

 

© Webster 1913.


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.

 

© Webster 1913.


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.

 

© Webster 1913.