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Entry 15 senses · 3 variants Webster, 1913

Look

/(lo͝ok)/ · IPA /lʊk/
01 v. i. 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 di…
imp. & p. p. Looked; p. pr. & vb. n. Looking
  1. 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. 2.
    To direct the attention (to something); to consider; to examine; as, to look at an action.
  3. 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. 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. 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 that ye bind them fast.” — Shak.
    “Look if it be my daughter.” — Talfourd.
  6. 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. 7.
    To await the appearance of anything; to expect; to anticipate.
    “Looking each hour into death's mouth to fall.” — Spenser.
    “Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth.” — Luke xxi. 26.
    “My subject does not oblige me to look after the water, or point forth the place where to it is now retreated.” — Woodward.
    “The bishops thereat repined, and looked black.” — Holinshed.
    “Her friends would look on her the worse.” — Prior.
    “I looked on Virgil as a succinct, majestic writer.” — Dryden.
    “I'll be a candleholder, and look on.” — Shak.
02 v. t. To look at; to turn the eyes toward.
  1. 1.
    To look at; to turn the eyes toward.
  2. 2.
    To seek; to search for.[Obs.]
    “Looking my love, I go from place to place.” — Spenser.
  3. 3.
    To expect.[Obs.]
  4. 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. 5.
    To express or manifest by a look.
    “Soft eyes looked love to eyes which spake again.” — Byron.
Phrases & compounds
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.
03 n. The act of looking; a glance; a sight; a view; -- often in certain phrases; as, to have, get, take, throw, or cast, a look.
  1. 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. 2.
    Expression of the eyes and face; manner; as, a proud or defiant look.
    “Up ! up! my friends, and clear your looks.” — Wordsworth.
  3. 3.
    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.