v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Looked p. pr. & vb. n. Looking. ] [ OE. loken, AS. lōcian; akin to G. lugen, OHG. luogēn. ] 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To direct the attention (to something); to consider; to examine; as, to look at an action. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To seem; to appear; to have a particular appearance; as, the patient looks better; the clouds look rainy. [ 1913 Webster ]

It would look more like vanity than gratitude. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

Observe how such a practice looks in another person. I. Watts. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To have a particular direction or situation; to face; to front. [ 1913 Webster ]

The inner gate that looketh to north. Ezek. viii. 3. [ 1913 Webster ]

The east gate . . . which looketh eastward. Ezek. xi. 1. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. In the imperative: see; behold; take notice; take care; observe; -- used to call attention. [ 1913 Webster ]

Look, how much we thus expel of sin, so much we expel of virtue. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Look, in the imperative, may be followed by a dependent sentence, but see is oftener so used. [ 1913 Webster ]

Look that ye bind them fast. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Look if it be my daughter. Talfourd. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

My toes look through the overleather. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

7. To await the appearance of anything; to expect; to anticipate. [ 1913 Webster ]

Looking each hour into death's mouth to fall. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ] 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. [ 1913 Webster ] 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. [ 1913 Webster ] 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. [ 1913 Webster ] Her friends would look on her the worse. Prior. (b) To consider; to view; to conceive of; to think of. [ 1913 Webster ] I looked on Virgil as a succinct, majestic writer. Dryden. (c) To be a mere spectator. [ 1913 Webster ] 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Threw many a northward look to see his father
Bring up his powers; but he did long in vain. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Expression of the eyes and face; manner; as, a proud or defiant look. “Gentle looks.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Up ! up! my friends, and clear your looks. Wordsworth. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Hence; Appearance; aspect; as, the house has a gloomy look; the affair has a bad look. [ 1913 Webster ]

Pain, disgrace, and poverty have frighted looks. Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]

There was something that reminded me of Dante's Hell in the look of this. Carlyle. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. 1. To look at; to turn the eyes toward. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To seek; to search for. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Looking my love, I go from place to place. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To expect. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To influence, overawe, or subdue by looks or presence as, to look down opposition. [ 1913 Webster ]

A spirit fit to start into an empire,
And look the world to law. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. To express or manifest by a look. [ 1913 Webster ]

Soft eyes looked love to eyes which spake again. Byron. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Zool.) A fish (Selene vomer) similar to the moonfish but with eyes high on the truncated forehead; it was also called moonfish at one time.
Syn. -- Selene vomer. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

adj. same as anticipated, 2; as, his looked-for advancement. [ prenominal ]
Syn. -- anticipated. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. 1. One who looks. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A person who is physically very attractive, especially a beautiful woman. [ PJC ]

Looker-on, a spectator; an onlooker; one that looks on, but has no agency or part in an affair. [ 1913 Webster ]

Did not this fatal war affront thy coast,
Yet sattest thou an idle looker-on ? Fairfax. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. The act of one who looks; a glance. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The manner in which one looks; appearance; countenance; face. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

All dreary was his cheer and his looking. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

Looking for, anticipation; expectation. “A certain fearful looking for of judgment.” Heb. x. 27. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Having a certain look or appearance; -- often compounded with adjectives; as, good-looking, grand-looking, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A mirror made of glass on which has been placed a backing of some reflecting substance, as quicksilver. [ 1913 Webster ]

There is none so homely but loves a looking-glass. South. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. A careful looking or watching for any object or event. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The place from which such observation is made. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A person engaged in watching; a sentinel; a sentry. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Object or duty of forethought and care; responsibility. [ Colloq. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

on the lookout for in search of; looking for. [ PJC ]