Look v. i. [imp. & p. p. Looked p. pr. & vb. n. Looking.]
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 To look down 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 forward to. To anticipate with an expectation of pleasure; to be eager for; as, I am looking forward to your visit.
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 To look 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.]
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; to search out; as, prudent persons look out associates of good reputation.