Hypertext Webster Gateway: "staring"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Stare \Stare\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {stared}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{staring}.] [AS. starian; akin to LG. & D. staren, OHG.
star[=e]n, G. starren, Icel. stara; cf. Icel. stira, Dan.
stirre, Sw. stirra, and G. starr stiff, rigid, fixed, Gr. ?
solid (E. stereo-), Skr. sthira firm, strong. [root]166. Cf.
{Sterile}.]
1. To look with fixed eyes wide open, as through fear,
wonder, surprise, impudence, etc.; to fasten an earnest
and prolonged gaze on some object.
For ever upon the ground I see thee stare.
--Chaucer.
Look not big, nor stamp, nor stare, nor fret.
--Shak.
2. To be very conspicuous on account of size, prominence,
color, or brilliancy; as, staring windows or colors.
3. To stand out; to project; to bristle. [Obs.]
Makest my blood cold, and my hair to stare. --Shak.
Take off all the staring straws and jags in the
hive. --Mortimer.
Syn: To gaze; to look earnestly. See {Gaze}.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
staring
adj 1: (used of eyes) open and fixed as if in fear or wonder;
"staring eyes" [syn: {agaze}]
2: without qualification; used informally as (often pejorative)
intensifiers; "an arrant fool"; "a complete coward"; "a
consummate fool"; "a double-dyed villain"; "gross
negligence"; "a perfect idiot"; "pure folly"; "what a
sodding mess"; "stark staring mad"; "a thoroughgoing
villain"; "utter nonsense" [syn: {arrant(a)}, {complete(a)},
{consummate(a)}, {double-dyed(a)}, {everlasting(a)}, {gross(a)},
{perfect(a)}, {pure(a)}, {sodding(a)}, {stark(a)}, {staring(a)},
{thoroughgoing(a)}, {utter(a)}]
adv : with a stare; "`quoi?' asked Blanchard, staring" [syn: {staringly}]
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