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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

LOOK, v.i. [See Light. The primary sense is to stretch, to extend, to shoot, hence to direct the eye. We observe its primary sense is nearly the same as that of seek. Hence, to look for is to seek.]
1. To direct the eye towards an object, with the intention of seeing it.
When the object is within sight, look is usually followed by on or at. We look on or at a picture; we look on or at the moon; we cannot look on or at the unclouded sun, without pain.
At, after look, is not used in our version of the Scriptures. In common usage, at or on is now used indifferently in many cases, and yet in other cases, usage has established a preference. In general, on is used in the more solemn forms of expression. Moses was afraid to look on God. The Lord look on you and judge. In these and similar phrases, the use of at would be condemned, as expressing too little solemnity.
In some cases, at seems to be more properly used before very distant objects; but the cases can hardly be defined.
The particular direction of the eye is expressed by various modifying words; as, to look down, to look up, to look back to look forward, to look from, to look round, to look out, to look under. When the object is not in sight, look is followed by after, or for. Hence, to look after, or look for, is equivalent to seek or search, or to expect.
2. To see; to have the sight or view of.
Fate sees thy life lodged in a brittle glass, and looks it through, but to it cannot pass.
3. To direct the intellectual eye; to apply the mind or understanding; to consider; to examine. Look at the conduct of this man; view it in all its aspects. Let every man look into the state of his own heart. Let us look beyond the received notions of men on this subject.
4. To expect.
He must look to fight another battle, before he could reach Oxford. [Little used.
5. To take care; to watch.
Look that ye bind them fast.
6. To be directed.
Let thine eyes look right on. Proverbs 4.
7. To seem; to appear; to have a particular appearance. The patient looks better than he did. The clouds look rainy.
I am afraid it would look more like vanity than gratitude.
Observe how such a practice looks in another person.
So we say, to look stout or big; to look peevish; to look pleasant or graceful.
8. To have a particular direction or situation; to face; to front.
The gate that looketh toward the north. Ezek 8.
The east gate of the Lord's house, that looketh eastward. Ezek 11.
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.
1. To look after, to attend; to take care of; as, to look after children.
2. To expect; to be in a state of expectation.
Men's hearts falling them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth. Luke 21.
3. To seek; to search.
My subject does not oblige me to look after the water, or point forth the place whereunto it has now retreated.
1. To look for, to expect; as, to look for news by the arrival of a ship.
Look now for no enchanting voice.
2. To seek; to search; as, to look for lost money, or lost cattle.
To look into, to inspect closely; to observe narrowly; to examine; as, to look into the works of nature; to look into the conduct of another; to look into one's affairs.
Which things the angels desire to look into. 1 Peter 1.
1. To look on, to regard; to esteem.
Her friends would look on her the worse.
2. To consider; to view; to conceive of; to think.
I looked on Virgil as a succinct, majestic writer.
3. To be a mere spectator.
I'll be a candle-holder and look on.
To look over, to examine one by one; as, to look over a catalogue of books; to look over accounts.
To overlook, has a different sense, to pass over without seeing.
To look out, to be on the watch. The seaman looks out for breakers.
1. To look to, or unto, to watch; to take care of.
Look well to thy herds. Proverbs 27.
2. To resort to with confidence or expectation of receiving something; to expect to receive from. The creditor may look to the surety for payment.
Look to me and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth. Isaiah 45.
To look through, to penetrate with the eye, or with the understanding; to see or understand perfectly.
LOOK, v.t.
1. To seek; to search for.
Looking my love, I go from place to place. Obs.
2. To influence by looks or presence; as, to look down opposition.
A spirit fit to start into an empire, and look the world to law.
To look out, to search for and discover. Look out associates of good reputation.
To look one another in the face, to meet for combat.
2 Kings 14.
LOOK, in the imperative, is used to excite attention or notice. Look ye, look you; that is see, behold, observe, take notice.
LOOK, n.
1. Cast of countenance; air of the face; aspect; as, a high look is an index of pride; a downcast look is an index of pride; a downcast look indicates modesty, bashfulness, or depression of mind.
Pain, disgrace and poverty have frightful looks.
2. The act of looking or seeing. Every look filled him with anguish.
3. View; watch.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: the feelings expressed on a person's face; "a sad expression"; "a look of triumph"; "an angry face" [syn: expression, look, aspect, facial expression, face]
2: the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually; "he went out to have a look"; "his look was fixed on her eyes"; "he gave it a good looking at"; "his camera does his looking for him" [syn: look, looking, looking at]
3: physical appearance; "I don't like the looks of this place"
4: the general atmosphere of a place or situation and the effect that it has on people; "the feel of the city excited him"; "a clergyman improved the tone of the meeting"; "it had the smell of treason" [syn: spirit, tone, feel, feeling, flavor, flavour, look, smell] v
1: perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards; "She looked over the expanse of land"; "Look at your child!"; "Look--a deer in the backyard!"
2: give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect; "She seems to be sleeping"; "This appears to be a very difficult problem"; "This project looks fishy"; "They appeared like people who had not eaten or slept for a long time" [syn: look, appear, seem]
3: have a certain outward or facial expression; "How does she look?"; "The child looks unhappy"; "She looked pale after the surgery"
4: search or seek; "We looked all day and finally found the child in the forest"; "Look elsewhere for the perfect gift!" [syn: search, look]
5: be oriented in a certain direction, often with respect to another reference point; be opposite to; "The house looks north"; "My backyard look onto the pond"; "The building faces the park" [syn: front, look, face] [ant: back]
6: take charge of or deal with; "Could you see about lunch?"; "I must attend to this matter"; "She took care of this business" [syn: attend, take care, look, see]
7: convey by one's expression; "She looked her devotion to me"
8: look forward to the probable occurrence of; "We were expecting a visit from our relatives"; "She is looking to a promotion"; "he is waiting to be drafted" [syn: expect, look, await, wait]
9: accord in appearance with; "You don't look your age!"
10: have faith or confidence in; "you can count on me to help you any time"; "Look to your friends for support"; "You can bet on that!"; "Depend on your family in times of crisis" [syn: count, bet, depend, look, calculate, reckon]

Merriam Webster's

I. verb Etymology: Middle English, from Old English l?cian; akin to Old Saxon l?c?n to look Date: before 12th century transitive verb 1. to make sure or take care (that something is done) 2. to ascertain by the use of one's eyes <look what I brought you> 3. a. to exercise the power of vision upon ; examine b. archaic to search for 4. a. expect, anticipate <we look to have a good year> b. to have in mind as an end <looking to win back some lost profits> 5. archaic to bring into a place or condition by the exercise of the power of vision 6. to express by the eyes or facial expression 7. to have an appearance that befits or accords with <looks her age> intransitive verb 1. a. to exercise the power of vision ; see b. to direct one's attention <look upon the future with hope> <look at the map> c. to direct the eyes <looked up from the newspaper> 2. to have the appearance or likelihood of being ; seem <it looks unlikely> <looks to be hard work> 3. to have a specified outlook <the house looked east> 4. to gaze in wonder or surprise ; stare 5. to show a tendency <the evidence looks to acquittal> Synonyms: see expect II. noun Date: 13th century 1. a. the act of looking b. glance 2. a. the expression of the countenance b. physical appearance; especially attractive physical appearance — usually used in plural c. a combination of design features giving a unified appearance <a new look in women's fashions> 3. the state or form in which something appears

U.S. Military Dictionary

(*) In mine warfare, a period during which a mine circuit is receptive of an influence.

Oxford Reference Dictionary

v., n., & int. --v. 1 a intr. (often foll. by at) use one's sight; turn one's eyes in some direction. b tr. turn one's eyes on; contemplate or examine (looked me in the eyes). 2 intr. a make a visual or mental search (I'll look in the morning). b (foll. by at) consider, examine (we must look at the facts). 3 intr. (foll. by for) a search for. b hope or be on the watch for. c expect. 4 intr. inquire (when one looks deeper). 5 intr. have a specified appearance; seem (look a fool; look foolish). 6 intr. (foll. by to) a consider; take care of; be careful about (look to the future). b rely on (a person or thing) (you can look to me for support). c expect; count on; aim at. 7 intr. (foll. by into) investigate or examine. 8 tr. (foll. by what, where, etc. + clause) ascertain or observe by sight (look where we are). 9 intr. (of a thing) face or be turned, or have or afford an outlook, in a specified direction. 10 tr. express, threaten, or show (an emotion etc.) by one's looks. 11 intr. (foll. by that + clause) take care; make sure. 12 intr. (foll. by to + infin.) expect (am looking to finish this today). --n. 1 an act of looking; the directing of the eyes to look at a thing or person; a glance (a scornful look). 2 (in sing. or pl.) the appearance of a face; a person's expression or personal aspect. 3 the (esp. characteristic) appearance of a thing (the place has a European look). --int. (also look here!) calling attention, expressing a protest, etc. Phrases and idioms: look after 1 attend to; take care of. 2 follow with the eye. 3 seek for. look one's age appear to be as old as one really is. look-alike a person or thing closely resembling another (a Prince Charles look-alike). look alive (or lively) colloq. be brisk and alert. look as if suggest by appearance the belief that (it looks as if he's gone). look back 1 (foll. by on, upon, to) turn one's thoughts to (something past). 2 (usu. with neg.) cease to progress (since then we have never looked back). 3 Brit. make a further visit later. look before you leap avoid precipitate action. look daggers see DAGGER. look down on (or upon or look down one's nose at) regard with contempt or a feeling of superiority. look for trouble see TROUBLE. look forward to await (an expected event) eagerly or with specified feelings. look in make a short visit or call. look-in n. colloq. 1 an informal call or visit. 2 a chance of participation or success (never gets a look-in). look a person in the eye (or eyes or face) look directly and unashamedly at him or her. look like 1 have the appearance of. 2 Brit. seem to be (they look like winning). 3 threaten or promise (it looks like rain). 4 indicate the presence of (it looks like woodworm). look on 1 (often foll. by as) regard (looks on you as a friend; looked on them with disfavour). 2 be a spectator; avoid participation. look oneself appear in good health (esp. after illness etc.). look out 1 direct one's sight or put one's head out of a window etc. 2 (often foll. by for) be vigilant or prepared. 3 (foll. by on, over, etc.) have or afford a specified outlook. 4 search for and produce (shall look one out for you). look over 1 inspect or survey (looked over the house). 2 examine (a document etc.) esp. cursorily (shall look it over). look round 1 look in every or another direction. 2 examine the objects of interest in a place (you must come and look round sometime). 3 examine the possibilities etc. with a view to deciding on a course of action. look-see colloq. a survey or inspection. look sharp act promptly; make haste (orig. = keep strict watch). look small see SMALL. look through 1 examine the contents of, esp. cursorily. 2 penetrate (a pretence or pretender) with insight. 3 ignore by pretending not to see (I waved, but you just looked through me). look up 1 search for (esp. information in a book). 2 colloq. go to visit (a person) (had intended to look them up). 3 raise one's eyes (looked up when I went in). 4 improve, esp. in price, prosperity, or well-being (things are looking up all round). look a person up and down scrutinize a person keenly or contemptuously. look up to respect or venerate. not like the look of find alarming or suspicious. Derivatives: -looking adj. (in comb.). Etymology: OE locian f. WG

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Look Look, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Looked; p. pr. & vb. n. Looking.] [OE. loken, AS. l[=o]cian; akin to G. lugen, OHG. luog[=e]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. Note: Look, in the imperative, may be followed by a dependent sentence, but see is oftener so used.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Look 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's 1913 Dictionary

Look 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.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

I. USING YOUR EYES OR YOUR MIND (looks, looking, looked) Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English. Please look at category 14 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown under another headword. 1. If you look in a particular direction, you direct your eyes in that direction, especially so that you can see what is there or see what something is like. I looked down the hallway to room number nine... She turned to look at him... He looked away, apparently enraged... If you look, you'll see what was a lake. VERB: V prep/adv, V prep/adv, V prep/adv, V • Look is also a noun. Lucille took a last look in the mirror... Assisi has a couple of churches that are worth a look if you have time. N-SING 2. If you look at a book, newspaper, or magazine, you read it fairly quickly or read part of it. You've just got to look at the last bit of Act Three. VERB: V at n • Look is also a noun. A quick look at Monday's British newspapers shows that there's plenty of interest in foreign news. N-SING: oft N at n 3. If someone, especially an expert, looks at something, they examine it, and then deal with it or say how it should be dealt with. Can you look at my back? I think something's wrong. VERB: V at n, also V • Look is also a noun. The car has not been running very well and a mechanic had to come over to have a look at it. N-SING: usu N at n 4. If you look at someone in a particular way, you look at them with your expression showing what you are feeling or thinking. She looked at him earnestly. 'You don't mind?' VERB: V at n adv/prep • Look is also a noun. He gave her a blank look, as if he had no idea who she was... Sally spun round, a feigned look of surprise on her face. N-COUNT: usu with supp, oft adj N, N of n 5. If you look for something, for example something that you have lost, you try to find it. I'm looking for a child. I believe your husband can help me find her... I had gone to Maine looking for a place to work... I looked everywhere for ideas... Have you looked on the piano? VERB: V for n, V for n, V prep/adv for n, V prep/adv • Look is also a noun. Go and have another look. N-SING 6. If you are looking for something such as the solution to a problem or a new method, you want it and are trying to obtain it or think of it. The working group will be looking for practical solutions to the problems faced by doctors... = seek VERB: V for n 7. If you look at a subject, problem, or situation, you think about it or study it, so that you know all about it and can perhaps consider what should be done in relation to it. Next term we'll be looking at the Second World War period... He visited Florida a few years ago looking at the potential of the area to stage a big match. = examine, consider VERB: V at n, V at n • Look is also a noun. A close look at the statistics reveals a troubling picture. N-SING: oft N at n 8. If you look at a person, situation, or subject from a particular point of view, you judge them or consider them from that point of view. Brian had learned to look at her with new respect... It depends how you look at it. VERB: V at n prep/adv, V at n prep/adv 9. You say look when you want someone to pay attention to you because you are going to say something important. Look, I'm sorry. I didn't mean it... Now, look, here is how things stand. CONVENTION 10. You can use look to draw attention to a particular situation, person, or thing, for example because you find it very surprising, significant, or annoying. Hey, look at the time! We'll talk about it tonight. All right?... Look what a mess you've made of your life. VERB: only imper, V at n, V wh 11. If something such as a building or window looks somewhere, it has a view of a particular place. The castle looks over private parkland... VERB: V prep • Look out means the same as look. We sit on the terrace, which looks out on the sea. PHRASAL VERB: V P prep 12. If you are looking to do something, you are aiming to do it. We're not looking to make a fortune. VERB: V to-inf 13. If you say or shout 'look out!' to someone, you are warning them that they are in danger. 'Look out!' somebody shouted, as the truck started to roll toward the sea. EXCLAM 14. to look down your nose at someone: see nose II. APPEARANCE (looks, looking, looked) Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English. 1. You use look when describing the appearance of a person or thing or the impression that they give. Sheila was looking miserable... He does not look the most reliable of animals... They look like stars to the naked eye... He looked as if he was going to smile... Everybody in the club looked to be fourteen years old. V-LINK: V adj, V n, V like n, V like/as if, V to-inf • -looking She was a very peculiar-looking woman. COMB in ADJ 2. If someone or something has a particular look, they have a particular appearance or expression. She had the look of someone deserted and betrayed... When he came to decorate the kitchen, Kenneth opted for a friendly rustic look... N-SING: with supp 3. When you refer to someone's looks, you are referring to how beautiful or ugly they are, especially how beautiful they are. I never chose people just because of their looks. ...a young woman with wholesome good looks. N-PLURAL 4. You use look when indicating what you think will happen in the future or how a situation seems to you. He had lots of time to think about the future, and it didn't look good... Britain looks set to send a major force of over 100 tanks and supporting equipment... So far it looks like Warner Brothers' gamble is paying off... The Europeans had hoped to win, and, indeed, had looked like winning... The team had stormed into a two-goal lead and looked to be cruising to a third round place. V-LINK: V adj, V adj, it V like/as if, V like -ing/n, V to-inf 5. You use expressions such as by the look of him and by the looks of it when you want to indicate that you are giving an opinion based on the appearance of someone or something. He was not a well man by the look of him... By the look of things, Mr Stone and company will stay busy. PHRASE 6. If you don't like the look of something or someone, you feel that they may be dangerous or cause problems. I don't like the look of those clouds. PHRASE: V inflects, PHR n 7. If you ask what someone or something looks like, you are asking for a description of them. PHRASE: V inflects

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

look:

(1) The uses of the simple verb in English Versions of the Bible are nearly all good modern English. In Isa 5:2, however, "He looked that it should bring forth grapes"--"look" is used in the sense of "expect." Compare the King James Version of Sirach 20:14; Ac 28:6, "They looked when he should have swollen" (the Revised Version (British and American) "They expected that he would have swollen"). In 1 Macc 4:54, the King James Version has inserted "look" (omitted in the Revised Version (British and American)) as a simple interjection, without a corresponding word in the Greek

(2) "Look upon" means "fix one's attention on," and is often so used in English Versions of the Bible without further significance (Ec 2:11; Lu 22:56, etc.); but in 2Ch 24:22 the King James Version and the Revised Version (British and American), "Yahweh look upon it" means "remember." However, continual attention given to an object usually denotes that pleasure is found in it, and from this fact such uses as those of Pr 23:31, "Look not thou upon the wine when it is red," are derived. In particular, God's "looking upon" a person becomes a synonym for "showing favor unto," as in De 26:7 the King James Version; Ps 84:9 the King James Version and the Revised Version (British and American); Ps 119:132 the King James Version; Lu 1:48 the Revised Version (British and American) only, etc. (the Revised Version (British and American) usually, re-words, in such passages). On the other hand, "look on" may be weakened, as in such phrases as "fair to look unon" (Ge 12:11 etc.), where it means only "fair to the sight." Or as in modern English, "look on" may describe the attitude of the passive spectator, even when applied to God. So Ps 35:17, "Lord, how long wilt thou look on?"

(3) "Look to" usually means "pay attention to," as in Pr 14:15; Jer 39:12; 2 Joh 1:8, etc., and the Revised Version (British and American) occasionally uses this phrase in place of AV's "look upon" (Php 2:4). The reverse change is made in the King James Version's 1Sa 16:12, "goodly to look to"; Eze 23:15, "all of them princes to look to," but in the latter verse a more drastic revision was needed, for the meaning is "all of them in appearance as princes." "Look out" may mean "search for" (Ge 41:33; Ac 6:3), but may also be used literally, (Ge 26:8, etc.). The King James Version's "looking after those things" in Lu 21:26 has been changed by the Revised Version (British and American) into "expectation of the things." "Look one another in the face" in 2Ki 14:8,11 means "meet in battle."

Burton Scott Easton

Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms

I. v. n. 1. Direct the eye, gaze. 2. Turn the thoughts, apply the mind, consider, examine, contemplate. 3. Expect, await, anticipate. 4. Mind, consider, take care, take heed, watch. 5. Front, face, be turned, be directed. 6. Appear, seem. 7. Have an air, assume a manner. II. v. a. Influence by looks. III. interj. See, lo, behold, take notice, observe. IV. n. 1. Gaze, glance. 2. Appearance, aspect, complexion. 3. Mien, manner, air, aspect.

Moby Thesaurus

NB, admire, air, angle, angle for, animadvert, anticipate, appear, appear like, appearance, ask for, aspect, attend, await, be alert, be careful, be responsible for, be vigilant, be watchful, bearing, beat about for, behold, bend the eyes, beware, break, broad hint, call on, call up, care for, cast, chance, check out, check over, clue, configuration, consider, contemn, contemplate, count, count on, countenance, crane, crane the neck, cue, dash, dekko, delve for, delve into, demand, demeanor, derogate, despise, dig for, dig into, direct the eyes, disdain, disparage, display, divine, drop in on, effect, eidolon, esteem, examine, exhibit, expect, explore, express, expression, extol, eye, eyeball, eyeful, face, facet, fashion, feature, feel, figure, fish for, follow, forecast, foretell, form, front, front on, gain, gander, gape, gaup, gawk, gaze, gaze open-mouthed, gentle hint, gestalt, gesture, get better, glance, glare, gleam, glimmer, glimmering, glimpse, gloat, glower, go gunning for, go into, goggle, guise, gun for, heed, hint, honor, hope, hunt, hunt for, hunt up, idea, idolize, image, imago, implication, impression, improve, incline, index, indicate, indication, inkling, innuendo, insinuation, inspect, intimation, investigate, kick, lean, leer, leering look, lick, light, likeness, lineaments, look after, look at, look for, look forward to, look into, look like, look out, look over, look up, look up to, look-in, looks, lustful leer, make headway, make progress, manifest, manner, mark, mien, mind, misprize, mug, nod, note, notice, nudge, nurse, observe, occasion, ogle, opening, overlook, pay attention, peek, peep, peer, phase, phasis, physiognomy, pick up, play peekaboo, preview, probe, progress, prompt, prospect, protect, prowl after, pry, pursue, puss, quest, read, reckon on, reference, regard, remark, require, research, respect, revere, ring up, rubberneck, run down, scan, scene, scent, scintilla, scorn, scrutinize, search for, see, see to, seek, seek for, seem, seem like, seem to be, seeming, semblance, serve, shade, shadow, shape, shot, show, show improvement, side, sidelong look, sight, sign, signal, simulacrum, sip, slant, sly look, smack, smattering, smell, sneer, sound, sound like, soupcon, spark, spoor, spot, sprinkling, spurn, squeak, squint, stand on tiptoe, stare, stare at, stare down, stare hard, still-hunt, study, style, suggestion, sup, survey, suspicion, symptom, take a peep, take care of, take note, take notice, taste, telephone, telltale, tend, thought, time, tincture, tinge, total effect, touch, trace, track, track down, try to find, twist, venerate, view, viewpoint, visage, visit, wait for, wait on, watch, watch out, whisper, wink, wise, witness, worship