lookv.

Brit.

/lʊk/, U.S.

/lʊk/

Forms:

α. Old English loccia (Northumbrian, in prefixed forms), Old English locgia (Northumbrian, rare), Old English locian, Old English lokian (rare), Old English lucað (3rd singular present indicative, transmission error), Old English (before interrogative pronoun or adverb)–Middle English loc (imperative), late Old English lochian, early Middle English iloke (past participle), early Middle English locie, early Middle English logen (transmission error), early Middle English loke (past participle), early Middle English lokenn ( Ormulum), early Middle English lokie, Middle English leking (present participle, transmission error), Middle English loce, Middle English lok (past tense), Middle English lok, Middle English lokeand (present participle), Middle English loki (southern and south-west midlands), Middle English loky (southern and south-west midlands), Middle English lokye (south-west midlands), Middle English lokys (northern, imperative), Middle English los (northern, imperative), Middle English lowke (northern), Middle English luc (northern), Middle English luk (chiefly northern and north midlands), Middle English luke (chiefly northern and north midlands), Middle English luke (northern, past tense), Middle English lukk- (chiefly northern, inflected form), Middle English (1600s North American) locke, Middle English–1600s loke, Middle English–1600s looke, Middle English– look, late Middle English–1500s lokke, 1500s looken (archaic), 1500s louk, 1600s loock, 1900s– look-ted (past tense, U.S. regional (New York)); English regional 1600s lowk (Kent), 1600s 1800s– luck (northern, north midlands, and south-eastern), 1700s–1800s leak (northern), 1800s loak (Northumberland), 1800s– leeak (northern), 1800s– leuk (northern), 1800s– leukk (Cumberland), 1800s– lewk (Yorkshire), 1800s– li'ak (Durham), 1800s– luik (northern), 1800s– luk (northern), 1800s– luke (northern, north midlands, and south-western), 1800s– lukk (Shropshire), 1900s– leek (Cumberland), 1900s– lock (Somerset), 1900s– louk (Lincolnshire); Scottish pre-1700 laukit (past tense, probably transmission error), pre-1700 lewikit (past tense, probably transmission error), pre-1700 lewk, pre-1700 lok, pre-1700 loocke, pre-1700 looke, pre-1700 lookeing (present participle), pre-1700 louck, pre-1700 louick, pre-1700 louk, pre-1700 louke, pre-1700 lowke, pre-1700 luick, pre-1700 lukeing (present participle), pre-1700 lukyit (past tense, perhaps transmission error), pre-1700 luyk, pre-1700 luyke, pre-1700 lwik, pre-1700 lwk, pre-1700 lwyck, pre-1700 lwyk, pre-1700 1700s– leuk, pre-1700 1700s– look, pre-1700 1700s– luck, pre-1700 1700s– luk, pre-1700 1800s luke, pre-1700 1800s– luik, pre-1700 1900s– lukk, 1800s laek (Shetland), 1800s lieuk, 1800s loak, 1800s lyeuk, 1900s– ljook (Shetland), 1900s– ljuk (Shetland); Irish English (chiefly northern) 1600s 1800s– luck, 1800s– leuk, 1900s– luk.

β. English regional (northern and north midlands), before personal pronoun in sense 9c 1800s– laa- (Cumberland), 1800s– lo, 1800s– loo, 1800s– loo', 1800s– lu-, 1900s– la' (Cumberland).

Origin: A word inherited from Germanic.

Etymology: Cognate with Old Saxon lōkon, Middle Dutch loeken, and probably Early Runic lokom, 1st singular or plural present indicative or 1st plural present optative (Weser estuary; 5th cent.) < the same Germanic base as Old High German luogēn to look furtively, to peek (Middle High German luogen, lūgen, German lugen: see note), further etymology unknown.The difference in consonant between German and the other the West Germanic languages has been explained in various ways, e.g. (i) assuming the German forms to reflect the Germanic base and the k -forms an intensive formation, or (ii) assuming the k -forms to reflect the primary base, and the German forms a variant with different stress, affecting the consonant quality. Uses of the imperative. The word is frequently used in the imperative in more than one of its senses (compare e.g. sense 5). In the imperative, it has a tendency to develop special uses and forms (compare senses 9 and 10). In Old English in use to form indefinite relatives with interrogative pronouns and adverbs (see sense 10) the word develops an irregular imperative singular lōc (beside regular lōca ). The imperative is also from early on combined with adverbs and pronouns for emphasis. In Old English and early Middle English, look now (Old English lōca nu ) and similar phrases are used to render classical Latin ecce and ēn, both in sense ‘lo, behold’ (see ecce int.). English regional imperative forms with loss of final consonant (see β. forms) are apparently restricted to uses followed by personal pronouns (see sense 9c); for possible Middle English parallels (without pronoun) see discussion at lo int.¹ With the Middle English imperative form los at α. forms compare e.g. mase at make v.¹ β. forms. Specific senses. Branch II. may show a development from sense 1b; however, compare the similar use of other verbs of perception, such as smell v. III. and taste v. 9. Prefixed forms. In Old English the prefixed form gelōcian to look, behold, see (compare y- prefix) is also attested (and survives into early Middle English as ilōkie , ilōke ); compare also belōcian belook v., (Northumbrian) eftlōcia to look, see, look upon, have regard for (compare eft adv.), forelōcian forelook v., forþlōcian to look forward (compare forth adv.; and also (with double prefixation) forþgelōcian in the same sense), onlōcian (see onlook vb. at on- prefix 1b), tōlōcian to look on (compare to- prefix¹), ymblōcian (see umbelook vb. at umbe- prefix 1).

I. To direct one's sight, and related senses.

* General senses.

a. To direct one's sight; to use one's ability to see. Hence (contextually): to conduct a visual inspection, examination, or search. Also of the eye: to be directed so as to see. Also in extended use and in figurative contexts.

(a) intransitive. With adverb or prepositional phrase expressing the direction or the intended object of vision.In later use usually with at. In earlier use the object of vision was chiefly introduced with on, upon, but in later use to look on, to look upon are in this sense either archaic, or include the notion of mental activity and are partly merged with sense 4a(a); more specialized uses are treated at to look on —— at Phrasal verbs 2, to look upon —— at Phrasal verbs 2.

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (intransitive)] > look or behold

belookeOE

lookeOE

beseec1000

stareOE

showOE

beholdc1175

seec1225

heedc1275

witec1320

advisec1325

to see to ——a1375

rewarda1382

to cast an eye, glance, lookc1385

blush?a1400

glift?a1400

visea1400

considerc1400

vizy1513

regard1523

spectate1709

to have a see1839

look-see1862

vision1898

screw1905

shufti1943

to take (or have) a shufti1943

the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (transitive)] > look at or behold

to look to ——eOE

showeOE

lookeOE

lookOE

behold971

beseec1000

seeOE

to see on ——OE

yseeOE

belookc1175

to look against ——c1225

to lay eyes onc1230

biwaita1250

holde1303

aseea1325

to see upon ——a1350

rewardc1350

to look of ——?c1400

eyea1425

visage1450

aviewa1513

gove1513

regard1523

to look unto ——1545

respect1567

survise1600

aspect1610

reflect1611

inspeculate1694

spectate1709

to look for ——1786

deek1825

lookit1908

lamp1916

eOE Metres of Boethius (transcript of damaged MS) (2009) xxii. 20 Efne swa sweotole swa he on þa sunnan mæg eagum andweardum on locian.

OE West Saxon Gospels: Mark (Corpus Cambr.) vi. 41 He on heofon locode [L. intuens] & hi bletsode.

c1175 ( Homily (Bodl. 343) in S. Irvine Old Eng. Homilies (1993) 171 Ealle we sceolon on þam dæȝe, gode & yfele, on ure Drihten lokiæn.

a1225 (c1200) Vices & Virtues (1888) 47 Ac me þincþ ðat tu lokest aweiward.

c1225 (?c1200) St. Margaret (Bodl.) (1934) 4 Alle hire luueden þet hire on lokeden.

c1390 (a1376) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Vernon) (1867) A. viii. l. 123 ‘Lewede lorel!’ quod he ‘luite lokestou on þe Bible’.

a1425 J. Wyclif Sel. Eng. Wks. (1869) I. 143 Lokynge in þe first myrour.

?c1450 Life St. Cuthbert (1891) l. 393 (MED) Þe childe loked here and þare.

c1540 (?a1400) Gest Historiale Destr. Troy (2002) f. 133 Achilles..Woundit hym [sc. Ector] wickedly as he away loked.

1598 I. D. tr. L. Le Roy Aristotles Politiques vii. 379 Wee forbid them also to looke on leud pictures, or dishonest fables.

1611 Bible (King James) Acts iii. 4 And Peter fastening his eyes vpon him, with Iohn, said, Looke on vs.

1626 F. Bacon New Atlantis 3 in Sylua Syluarum But the Seruant tooke them not, nor would scarce looke vpon them.

1634 T. Herbert Relation Some Yeares Trauaile 212 Her finnes so little that they are like the Dodoes wings, more to looke at, then for execution.

1664 E. Waller From Child in Poems (new ed.) 89 Before our Violets dare look abroad.

1688 R. Boyle Disquis. Final Causes ii. 61 The Camelion..may look directly forward with the right Eye, and with the other at the same time, directly backwards.

1758 E. Kimber Life Capt. Neville Frowde i. 30 Before she could well look upon me, I addressed her.

1771 A. Lonnergan Fencer's Guide iv. 18 This thrust demands every position of a Quarte, except that of looking outside the arm; whereas now you must look inside it.

1797 A. Radcliffe Italian I. i. 2 They walked quickly, looking neither to the right or left.

1812 Spirit Boccaccio's Decameron III. ix. 189 Open wide, Your mouth and let me look inside.

1830 Ld. Tennyson Mariana ii, in Poems 15 She could not look on the sweet heaven, Either at morn or eventide.

1871 ‘G. Eliot’ Middlemarch (1872) I. i. xii. 205 Every nerve and muscle in Rosamond was adjusted to the consciousness that she was being looked at.

1895 Pall Mall Mag. Nov. 393 Such a look as schoolboys exchange when the master is looking another way.

1932 G. Greene Stamboul Train i. i. 10 Mr Opie looked at his watch.

1964 C. Isherwood Single Man 88 He looks at himself in the long mirror.

a1973 J. R. R. Tolkien Silmarillion (1977) xx. 189 Every day that he looked upon the Silmaril the more he desired to keep it for ever.

2010 Independent 27 Apr. (Viewspaper section) 11/3 You walk around and you've got cameras looking at you.

2013 E. Huang Fresh off Boat vi. 94 He looked at me, sized me up.

(b) intransitive. With the direction or object of vision implied. In early use also: †to possess the faculty of sight; to be able to see (obsolete).

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > have faculty or power of sight [verb (intransitive)]

lookOE

OE Blickling Homilies 173 [Petrus] blinde men mid his bedum gehælde þæt hie locodan.

OE Lambeth Psalter cxxxiv. 16 Oculos habent et non uidebunt : eagan hi habbað & hig ne lociað.

a1200 MS Trin. Cambr. in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1873) 2nd Ser. 181 Eien lokeð and eare lusteð.

a1300 Passion our Lord 54 in R. Morris Old Eng. Misc. (1872) 39 Þe blynde he makede loki.

a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) i. l. 384 For ofte..Betre is to winke than to loke.

1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) vi. l. 468 The kingis palȝone..couth weyll luk and wynk with the ta E.

1600 N. Breton Pasquils Mistresse sig. G^v Louers may looke, and laugh, and happ'ly like.

1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost x. 993 But if thou judge it hard and difficult, Conversing, looking, loving, to abstain From Loves due Rites.

1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 106 He looks, and languishes, and leaves his Rest.

1709 G. Berkeley Ess. New Theory of Vision §6. 5 When we look only with one Eye.

1762 L. Sterne Life Tristram Shandy V. xxvii. 96 My father put on his spectacles—looked,—took them off.

1875 E. White Life in Christ (1876) iv. xxv. 422 The eye looks, but it is the mind that sees.

1896 Law Times Rep. 73 616/1 If he had looked he must have seen the light of the approaching train.

1901 ‘I. Maclaren’ Young Barbarians vii. 141 At the most critical moment he was afraid to look.

1931 T. F. Powys Unclay ii. 11 He learned that it is better to listen than to look.

1969 W. Gass Pedersen Kid i. i. 8 He looked and didn't find anything.

2012 S. Townsend Woman who went to Bed for Year i. 2 If she had taken a while to look she would have seen a woman of fifty with a lovely, fine-boned face.

b. intransitive. With adverb complement or phrase. To direct one's gaze in a manner expressive of a certain thought or feeling; to cast a look of a certain significance; to present a specified facial expression.In later use only with the object or direction of the gaze specified (cf. sense 1a(a)).

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (intransitive)] > look significantly

lookeOE

winkc1100

to tip the (or a) wink1676

eOE Metrical Dialogue of Solomon & Saturn (Corpus Cambr. 422) ii. 266 Geowes he hafað fiðeru and griffus fet, ligeð lonnum fæst, locað unhiere.

a1225 (c1200) Vices & Virtues (1888) 61 Godd..lokeð wraðliche uppe hem ðe euele doð.

c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 1133 He stod bi-foren Locrine & laðelich him lokede on.

c1325 (c1300) Chron. Robert of Gloucester (Calig.) 5348 (MED) Vre louerd mid is eyen of milce on þe lokeþ þeruore.

c1400 (?a1387) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Huntington HM 137) (1873) C. ii. l. 164 On ous he lokyde with loue.

1484 W. Caxton tr. G. de la Tour-Landry Bk. Knight of Tower (1971) lxi. 87 He euer loked on her of a waunton and fals regard.

a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 140 Bot Lord! how petewouslie I luke, Quhone all the pelfe thai pairt amang thame.

1548 Hall's Vnion: Richard III f. liij^v Least that it might be suspected that he was abasshed for feare of his enemyes, and for that cause looked so piteously.

1611 Bible (King James) Gen. xl. 7 Wherefore looke ye so sadly to day?

1641 R. Carpenter Experience, Hist., & Divinitie ii. i. 133 The man look'd bloodily, when he spoke it.

1705 S. Centlivre Gamester ii. i. 21 (stage direct.) Looking angerly at the Marquis.

1794 A. Radcliffe Myst. of Udolpho III. ii. 31 She looked with surprise on Annette.

1842 Ld. Tennyson Talking Oak xxvii, in Poems (new ed.) II. 70 I look'd at him with joy.

1871 ‘L. Carroll’ Through Looking-glass vii. 153 The Lion looked at Alice wearily.

1911 J. Conrad Under Western Eyes i. iii. 88 Councillor Mikulin looked at him dimly.

1956 J. C. Powys Brazen Head iii. 42 All sorts of resplendently dressed ladies looked significantly at each other.

2010 New Yorker 1 Feb. 59/2 Bill Knott looked vaguely from his Bushmills toward the water.

c. intransitive. In contextual use: to give a look of surprise, to stare. Now rare (colloquial in later use).

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (intransitive)] > stare or gaze > specifically in surprise

starea1375

lookc1425

c1425 J. Lydgate Troyyes Bk. (Augustus A.iv) i. l. 1338 (MED) Þei wern so rude to staren and to gase, To gape & to loke, as it wer on a mase.

1612 B. Jonson Alchemist v. iv. sig. M2 Doctor 'tis true (you looke) for all your Figures. I sent for him, indeed.

1842 F. Marryat Percival Keene I. xiv. 182 All you said this morning, and all your surmises, have turned out to be all moonshine. Yes, you may look, papa; I tell you—all moonshine.

1937 D. L. Sayers Busman's Honeymoon ix. 200 I 'ears you from the pump—yes, you may look!

d. transitive. With cognate object. Cf. to look one's last at Phrases 1b(f).

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (transitive)] > direct (a look)

warpc1175

send1592

dart1593

look1599

squint1631

fling1654

1599 W. Shakespeare et al. Passionate Pilgrime (new ed.) sig. A6 Such lookes as none could looke but beauties queen.

1650 J. Trapp Clavis to Bible (Gen. xlii. 29) 333 And they came to iacob, Who had looked many a long look for them, no doubt.

a1714 M. Henry Expos. Hist. Bks. New Test. (1715) (Matt. xxvii. 55–6) sig. Ee3/1 When they were debar'd from doing any other Office of Love to him, they look'd a Look of Love towards him.

1827 G. Griffin Tales Munster Festivals I. 266 If ever I looked a look, or spoke a word, to displease you, I disown the eyes and the lips that gave the offence.

1850 Ld. Tennyson In Memoriam xlviii. 71 And look thy look, and go thy way.

1906 Metrop. Mag. Nov. 179/1 Thompson looked a look of despair.

1996 Sunday Times (Nexis) 28 Jan. (Features section) A head popped up through the hatch, looked a look reserved for the dawn of Armageddon, disappeared and resurfaced with a body.

e. transitive. To express by a look or glance, or by one's countenance; to cast looks conveying (an emotion or question), threatening (a punishment), etc.to look daggers: see dagger n.¹ 3b.

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (transitive)] > express by look

look1679

1679 ‘Ephelia’ Female Poems 105 This Great Man lay panting on my Breast, Looking such Things as ne're can be exprest.

1727 J. Thomson Summer 68 They..sigh'd, and look'd unutterable Things!

1751 Ld. Chesterfield Let. 11 Feb. (1932) (modernized text) IV. 1679 The same things differently expressed, looked, and delivered, cease to be the same things.

a1824 Ld. Byron Don Juan i. xv, in Wks. (1835) XV. 118 Some women use their tongues—she look'd a lecture, Each eye a sermon, and her brow a homily.

1843 W. M. Thackeray Ravenswing i, in Fraser's Mag. Apr. 470/1 The Captain, looking several tremendous canings at him, walked into the back room.

1867 Good Words May 335/2 I was obliged to be contented with looking my pleasure.

1947 A. Menen Prevalence of Witches ii. 36 Suddenly his eyes looked mischief again.

1956 H. Gold Man who was not with It vi. 53 I looked a question at her.

2009 J. Burroway Bridge of Sand xxix. 294 Kenisha said nothing but looked fury and alarm.

a. To direct one's sight at; to look at.

(a) transitive. Without construction. Also (contextually): to inspect, examine. Now regional.to look babies: see baby n. and adj. Phrases 1.

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (transitive)] > look at or behold

to look to ——eOE

showeOE

lookeOE

lookOE

behold971

beseec1000

seeOE

to see on ——OE

yseeOE

belookc1175

to look against ——c1225

to lay eyes onc1230

biwaita1250

holde1303

aseea1325

to see upon ——a1350

rewardc1350

to look of ——?c1400

eyea1425

visage1450

aviewa1513

gove1513

regard1523

to look unto ——1545

respect1567

survise1600

aspect1610

reflect1611

inspeculate1694

spectate1709

to look for ——1786

deek1825

lookit1908

lamp1916

OE (Northumbrian) Lindisf. Gospels: Matt. vi. 28 Considerate lilia agri quomodo crescunt non laborant : sceauiges uel locas uel behaues ðæt wyrt londes huu wæxas ne wynnes.

a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Bodl. 959) (1961) Num. xxiv. 17 Y shal inwardly loke hym [L. intuebor illum] bote not ny.

1471 J. Paston in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) I. 566 Þat no body look my wryghtyngys.

1509 Kynge Rycharde Cuer du Lyon (de Worde) sig. J.iii Rycharde his men bad seche For some wyse clerke and certayne leche..For to loke his bryne [perh. read vryne].

1509 A. Barclay Brant's Shyp of Folys (Pynson) f. cxx^v Whan he a whyle his glas hath loken.

?1523 J. Fitzherbert Bk. Husbandry f. xxi Than let the shepeherde turne them and loke them on euery syde.

c1540 (?a1400) Gest Historiale Destr. Troy (2002) f. 116 Leches full lyuely lokid his wound.

a1600 R. Lindsay Hist. & Cron. Scotl. (1899) II. 158 He mowit wpe to the hill heid of Tarbitt..to awew and luik the congregatioun.

1647 J. Trapp Mellificium Theol. in Comm. Epist. & Rev. 669 Many Heathens have advised the angry man to look his face in a glasse, and to grow ashamed of his distemper.

1655 in New Haven Col. Rec. (1858) II. 151 Robert Cranfeild..testifyed..that he went to looke oxen.

1721 A. Ramsay Morning Interview 34 He frown'd, and look'd his watch.

1874 W. H. L. Ranken Dominion Austral. vi. 105 Plains are scoured and every piece of timber looked.

1882 J. Walker Descr. Jaunt to Auld Reekie 10 He looks his hand: behold the sooty meal The secret tells.

1951 S. H. Bell December Bride ii. xiv. 159 We'll be looking that cottage afore the harvest, so what's the use of all this farting and fiddling around?

1967 ‘G. North’ Sgt. Cluff & Day of Reckoning viii. 75 I was looking the sheep when the station rang up: they had to find me.

1997 D. Elcock Independent (Trinidad & Tobago) 30 Jan. Well look dis nasty old fowl-tief.

(b) transitive. With complement specifying the focus of the gaze. See also to look over 1 at Phrasal verbs 1, to look through 1a at Phrasal verbs 1.Recorded earliest in to look (a person, etc.) in the face at face n. Phrases 1c.to look (a person) in the eye(s): see eye n.¹ Phrases 2m(a). to look a gift horse in the mouth: see horse n. 21.

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (transitive)] > direct (a look) > direct look at

lookc1400

c1400 ( Canticum Creatione l. 378 in C. Horstmann Sammlung Altengl. Legenden (1878) 129 (MED) She dorste neuere after þat tym Loken Adam in þe face.

1740 H. Bracken Farriery Improv'd (ed. 2) II. vi. 184 Many who, altho' they have pretended Knowledge in Horses, have been looked in the Mouth (as we say).

1861 D. G. Rossetti tr. G. Cavalcanti in Early Ital. Poets ii. 338 This lady..Look'd thee so deep within the eyes, Love sigh'd And was awakened there.

1880 G. Meredith Tragic Comedians II. v. 88 She..looks you straight at the eyes, perfectly unabashed.

1966 R. Fariña Been down so Long it looks up to Me iv. 65 I..looked him right in the nose.

2000 Y. Karny Highlanders 99 She..for the first time looked me straight at the eye.

b. transitive. With interrogative clause as object: to ascertain by visual inspection (who, what, how, whether, etc.).In later use only when the question is regarded as capable of being answered at a glance.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > enquiry > investigation, inspection > investigate, examine [verb (transitive)]

underseekc897

speerc900

lookeOE

askOE

seeOE

teem witnessc1200

seeka1300

fand13..

inquirec1300

undergoc1315

visit1338

pursuea1382

searcha1382

examinec1384

assay1387

ensearchc1400

vesteyea1425

to have in waitc1440

perpend1447

to bring witnessc1475

vey1512

investigate?1520

recounta1530

to call into (also in) question1534

finger1546

rip1549

sight1556

vestigatea1561

to look into ——1561

require1563

descry?1567

sound1579

question1590

resolve1593

surview1601

undersearch1609

sift1611

disquire1621

indagate1623

inspect1623

pierce1640

shrive1647

in-looka1649

probe1649

incern1656

quaeritate1657

inquisite1674

reconnoitre1740

explore1774

to bring to book1786

look-see1867

scrutate1882

to shake down1915

sleuth1939

screen1942

eOE tr. Orosius Hist. (BL Add.) (1980) iv. x. 107 Þa het he ænne mon stigan on þone mæst & locian [L. speculari] hwæþer he þæt land gecneowe.

OE Old Eng. Martyrol. (Julius) 31 Dec. (2013) 40 Ursa þæt deor..awearp hine to eorðan, ond locade to þære godes fæmnan hwæþer heo sceolde hine cucene þe deadne.

a1200 MS Trin. Cambr. in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1873) 2nd Ser. 121 Ure drihten..bihe [perh. read beih] of heuene to mannen and lokede gif here ani understoden oðer bi-sohten him.

a1225 (?OE) MS Lamb. in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1868) 1st Ser. 41 (MED) Heo tweien eoden..in to helle..for to lokien hu hit þer ferde.

a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 2600 Ghe adde or hire dowter sent To loken quider it sulde ben went.

c1325 (c1300) Chron. Robert of Gloucester (Calig.) 315 (MED) Brut sende vp þere Þre hondred men iarmed wel, to loke ȝwat lond þat were.

c1330 Otuel (Auch.) (1882) l. 1072 (MED) For godes loue, hie we bliue, & loke we whoþer ogger be a liue.

?c1425 Crafte Nombrynge in R. Steele Earliest Arithm. in Eng. (1922) 30 Multiply þat digit by anoþer diget..and loke qwat comes þere-of.

?a1475 Ludus Coventriae (1922) 35 (MED) Now wyl I go wende my way..to loke where þat I best may From mannys ssyht me hyde.

1530 Thorpe's Examinacion sig. H.vi^v What so euer the bisshopes asked him he badde them looke what his bill said therto.

1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene i. iv. sig. D2^v Scarse could he once vphold his heauie hedd, To looken, whether it were night or day.

1618 T. Taylor Christs Combate & Conquest 101 The great ones of the earth, who gazed at the glister of the golden boule, but neuer looked what was in it.

1675 J. Bunyan Light in Darkness 57 He looked how his Brethren fared.

1710 J. Swift Jrnl. to Stella 30 Nov. (1948) I. 110 O, but one may look whether one goes crooked or no, and so write on.

1792 J. Émïn Life & Adventures Joseph Émïn 63 When his master came back to look how he was going on, he cried out, ‘O Lord, you ruin me!’

1819 G. Crabbe Tales of Hall I. x. 261 I loved my trees in order to dispose, I number'd peaches, look'd how stocks arose.

1848 J. H. Newman Loss & Gain iii. iii. 318 He glanced from one article to another, looking who were the University-preachers of the week, who had taken degrees [etc.].

1914 Blackwood's Mag. Apr. 542/2 He ventured out to look what time the stars proclaimed.

1968 Globe & Mail (Toronto) 17 Feb. 10/5 They open the book and they look if your name's on it.

2010 L. Hawke tr. D. Broeckhoven Day with Mr. Jules 68 He..handed it to the barber who'd come to look what the clatter in front of his shop was about.

c. transitive. With various complements. To cause (a person or thing) to pass into a certain place, state, or condition by means of one's gaze. Cf. to look down at Phrasal verbs 1. Now rare.

ΘΚΠ

the world > existence and causation > causation > [verb (transitive)] > bring (a person or thing) into a state or condition > by talking, working, running, etc.

run1548

work1599

talk1600

look1611

whip1635

speak1684

1611 B. Jonson Catiline iii. sig. K3^v Ile looke thee dead.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Cymbeline (1623) v. vi. 94 Thou hast look'd thy selfe into my grace.

1694 J. Dryden Love Triumphant iv. i. 56 While you stay,..every Moment looks a part of me away.

1700 J. Dryden Secular Masque 51 Mars has looked the sky to red.

1766 O. Goldsmith Vicar of Wakefield I. v. 43 They had early learnt the lesson of looking presumption out of countenance.

1777 Ann. Reg. 1776 58/1 That armed force which was to have looked all America into submission.

1818 S. E. Ferrier Marriage III. i. 8 Lady Matilda tried to look her into decency, but in vain.

1860 A. Trollope Castle Richmond I. xii. 234 I really thought Mrs. Townsend would have looked him into the river when he came to her.

1919 F. F. Shannon God's Faith in Man v. 75 One of those deep-eyed facts which look us out of countenance.

1983 S. Mitchell tr. R. M. Rilke Notebks. Malte Laurids Brigge 151 Let me assure you, those eyes could have looked Venice right into this room.

†3.

a. intransitive. To be watchful or attentive. Obsolete.In quot. OE in to look with ——: to have to do with, be concerned for, care about.In quot. c1175 to look till ——: to look after, take care of; = to look to —— 4a at Phrasal verbs 2.

ΚΠ

OE Ælfric Catholic Homilies: 1st Ser. (Corpus Cambr. 188) xvii. 536 God ætwat þam hyrdum..þæt hi hi sylfe feddon & his sceapa ne gymdon, þæt synd þa yfelan lareowas þe lociað wið heora and him sylfum gaderiað.

c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 3195 Forr son summ he wass waxenn swa..tatt he cuþe himm ane ben. & lokenn till himm sellfenn Forrþrihht anan he flæh aweȝȝ. Fra faderr. & fra moderr.

a1225 (?OE) MS Lamb. in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1868) 1st Ser. 45 (MED) We aȝen þene sunne dei swiþeliche wel to wurþien and on alle clenesse to locan.

b. transitive. To watch over, take care of, keep; to preserve from. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > watching or keeping guard > watch or keep guard over [verb (transitive)]

hold971

witec1000

ward?a1035

looklOE

bewakec1175

getec1175

wakec1175

i-witea1240

forelook1340

watch?a1400

to watch over——1526

award?c1550

guard1582

to wait over ——1659

shepherd1885

watchdog1902

warden1910

lOE Anglo-Saxon Chron. (Laud) (Peterborough contin.) anno 1129 Biscopes & abbotes & ærcedæcnes..& æfter ealle þa þet Cristendome hæfdon to begemen & to locen.

a1225 ( [implied in: Bounds (Sawyer 542) in S. E. Kelly Charters of Abingdon Abbey, Pt. 1 (2000) 172 Þonon on loceres weg, andlang weges on þa ealdan stigele. (at looker n. 1a)].

c1225 (?c1200) St. Juliana (Bodl.) l. 302 (MED) Loke me from his [sc. the devil's] lað, liuiende lauerð.

c1300 (?c1225) King Horn (Cambr.) (1901) 748 (MED) Rymenhild þu kep and loke.

a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 3193 He dede is binden & faire loken, Alle ðe bones ðe he ðor token.

1340 Ayenbite (1866) 235 Þe prestes þet lokeden chastete ine þe temple weren to-deld uram þe oþren þet hi ne loren hire chastete.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 8297 ‘Godd þe loke’, he said, ‘sir king’.

?a1400 (a1338) R. Mannyng Chron. (Petyt) ii. 129 (MED) Thomas said þe kyng þat othe suld he wele loke þat he suore at þe gynnyng.

a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. xiii. 135 (MED) God looke you all thre!

c. transitive (reflexive). To be on one's guard, guard oneself, beware; to abstain from. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > vigilance > be vigilant [verb (reflexive)] > guard (oneself) against

wareOE

witec1000

lookc1175

keepa1400

watch1489

precaution1700

c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 5138 Te birrþ lokenn þe þatt tu. Ne do nan ifell dede.

a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 3511 Loke ðe wel ðat ðu ne stele.

a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 215 (MED) An bodeword ðer he him forbed..Ðat he sulde him ðer loken fro A fruit ðe kenned wel and wo.

1340 Ayenbite (1866) 42 (MED) Hit is nyed to leawede men þet hi ham loki uram þise zenne.

a1400 Prose Life Christ (Pepys) (1922) 34 (MED) Jesus hem seide..þat hij lokeden hem wel from veyn glorie.

d. transitive. To observe, keep (a holy day). Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > faith > worship > liturgical year > feast, festival > observe (feast, etc.) [verb (transitive)]

hallow971

frelsc1000

looka1225

getec1390

keep1463

celebrate1531

observe1539

sanctify1604

a1225 (?OE) MS Lamb. in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1868) 1st Ser. 45 (MED) Sunne-dei is to locan alswa ester dei.

1340 Ayenbite (1866) 7 Þe sabat, þet wes straytliche y-loked ine þe yalde laȝe.

1340 Ayenbite (1866) 20 (MED) Þou hest ofte ziþes euele and wroþe y-loked hire festes.

a. To direct or apply one's mind; to turn or fix one's attention or regard; to engage in mental contemplation, investigation, examination, etc.

(a) intransitive. With complement specifying the object of one's thought.Now usually with at (see sense 1a(a)).

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > attention > be attentive, pay attention to [verb (intransitive)]

lookeOE

reckOE

heedOE

turna1200

beseec1200

yeme?c1225

to care forc1230

hearkenc1230

tendc1330

tentc1330

hangc1340

rewarda1382

behold1382

convert1413

advertc1425

lotec1425

resortc1450

advertise1477

mark1526

regard1526

pass1548

anchor1557

eye1592

attend1678

mind1768

face1863

the mind > attention and judgement > attention > take notice of, heed [verb (transitive)] > direct attention, thought, etc.

lookeOE

i-thenchec897

to look to ——OE

send?c1420

to look upon ——c1515

to look unto ——1526

face1630

turn1842

eOE King Ælfred tr. Gregory Pastoral Care (Hatton) (1871) liii. 413 Ic ðe bidde ðæt ðu no ne locige [L. ne respicias] on mine synna, forðæmðe ic self him ealneg on locige.

OE Paris Psalter (1932) cxviii. 6 Ne beo ic þonne on ealdre æfre gescynded, gif ic on ealle þine bebodu elne locie.

a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) I. vii. lxix. 435 A good phisician nediþ to loke wel aboute and be ful ware and ful wel avised, for noþing lettiþ more helþ [MS help] of seke men þan vnkonnynge and necligense of phisiciens.

c1400 Bk. to Mother (Bodl.) 196 Loke wel aboute, for Heroud wol, ȝif he mai, brenne þi shup as he brende þe shuppes of Tars.

1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry V f. xxxvii^v Let the kyngdome of the assiriens be your example, and if that suffise not, then loke on the Percians.

1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. xxxvij^v Loking more narrowly vpon domestical euils.

1562 N. Winȝet Certain Tractates (1888) I. 12 Thay..luckis bakwart with the Israelitis to the potis of flesche in Egypt.

1570 in J. Cranstoun Satirical Poems Reformation (1891) I. xiii. 10 He man luke lawer, and enter in the Spreit, And than he sall persaif the cause fra hand.

1583 A. Golding tr. J. Calvin Serm. on Deuteronomie xxi. 124 Looke me vpon the Turkes: they haue some reuerence to their religion.

1604 W. Shakespeare Hamlet iv. iv. 9 + 28 He that made vs with such large discourse Looking before and after.

1611 Bible (King James) 2 Cor. iv. 18 While we looke not at the things which are seene, but at y^e things which are not seene.

1676 E. Stillingfleet Def. Disc. Idolatry ii. ii. 491 We are not only to look at the bare action, but at the reason and ground of it.

1759 B. Martin Young Gentleman & Lady's Philos. I. i. xi. 69 So you must look upon this Problem in Astronomy in the same ludicrous Light.

1845 M. Pattison in Christian Remembrancer Jan. 66 Because ideas change, the whole mode and manner of looking at things alters with every age.

1861 C. Dickens Great Expectations III. xvi. 273 What I look at, is the sacrifice of so much portable property.

1885 ‘F. Anstey’ Tinted Venus 70 ‘That's the proper way to look at it’, said he.

1890 Mrs. H. Wood House of Halliwell I. vii. 175 I marry a medical student!.. I look a little higher than that.

1905 W. D. Howells Miss Bellard's Inspiration 29 I don't see what her prettiness has to do with it. A great many girls are that way, now. They look at it very cool-headedly.

1958 G. Greene Our Man in Havana (1962) 101 The situation, whichever way he looked at it, was uncomfortable.

2012 Daily Tel. 5 July 22/5 The truth is you don't look at life differently.

†(b) intransitive. With the object of one's thought implied. Obsolete.

ΚΠ

a1425 J. Wyclif Sel. Eng. Wks. (1869) I. 319 (MED) But diversite is greet here and þere, whoso wole loke.

a1450 (c1400) in D. M. Grisdale 3 Middle Eng. Serm. (1939) 33 (MED) Lokis þanne, vor Cristis sake, þow ȝe ha ben gilti her be-for.

1573 in J. Cranstoun Satirical Poems Reformation (1891) I. xlii. 403 Schir, luk ȝe and se Gif that the teindis of this countrie May not do all that we have tauld.

c1585 R. Browne Answere to Cartwright 50 If he looke well, this proofe serueth against him.

†b. transitive. To inquire into, examine; to consider; pay attention to, regard. Obsolete.In Old English with genitive.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > attention > take notice of, heed [verb (transitive)] > look into, consider

lookOE

devisec1320

to look into ——c1350

screw1631

OE Ælfric Lives of Saints (Julius) (1881) I. 276 Swa orsorh wæs þæt wif under þam wælhreowan cwellere, þæt heo locode his goldes þe hi belifian..wolde.

OE Wærferð tr. Gregory Dialogues (Corpus Cambr.) (1900) iii. xxxii. 241 Þa wæs þæt gesawen fram þam mannum, þe his locodon [L. a respicientibus], þæt þæt wæs soð.

a1225 (c1200) Vices & Virtues (1888) 71 (MED) Ðanne mot me lokin ðin ikinde, and ðinne lichames hæle oðer unhale.

c1300 Life & Martyrdom Thomas Becket (Harl. 2277) (1845) 284 The King fram Normandie com To Engelond to loke the stat of his kynedom.

a1400 (?c1300) Lay Folks Mass Bk. (Royal) (1879) l. 271 When þou prayes, god lokes þi wille.

a1439 J. Lydgate Fall of Princes (Bodl. 263) ix. l. 2467 The mateer, who-so list to look.

c1450 in W. Maskell Monumenta Ritualia Ecclesiae Anglicanae (1882) III. 246 For he lokede the mekenesse of his hondmaide.

1533 J. Gau tr. C. Pedersen Richt Vay 19 God lukis notht the wtuert [= outward] richtfulnes quilk mony keipis.

c1560 A. Scott Poems (S.T.S.) xxxiv. 1 Ȝe blindit luvaris, luke The rekless lyfe ȝe leid.

c. transitive. With indirect question as object. To consider, ascertain (whether, if, when, etc.). Now rare.

ΚΠ

eOE King Ælfred tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. (Otho) (2009) I. xxii. 487 Ac loca nu hwæðer þu wille ðæt [wit] giet spyrigen æfter ænigre gesceadwisnesse furður, nu wit ðæt funden habbað þæt [w]it ær [so]h[t]on.

c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 918 Nu laferrdinngess loke we, Whatt tiss maȝȝ uss bitacnenn.

a1400 tr. Lanfranc Sci. Cirurgie (Ashm.) (1894) 51 (MED) Þou muste loke wheþer þat þe bodi be ful of wickide humouris, eiþer be clene.

1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) viii. 419 The king can furth his vais ta,..for till luk gif he Micht recouer his cuntre.

a1500 (?c1450) Merlin i. 9 Than made he hir suster come on a saterday,..to loke yef he might gete hir in that manere.

1534 C. St. German Addicions of Salem & Byzance iii. 55 He aduertseth rulers to loke, whether it be conuenient, that some new saintis shuld haue more solemnitie in the churche of god, then the auncient saynctes haue.

1580 R. Bristow Reply to Fulke 182 If you had looked what he meneth by the husband of one wife.

1615 E. Grimeston tr. P. d'Avity Estates 1149 The hospitall of this order serues as a sanctuarie..they doe not enjoy this libertie in all cases, but they looke whether the fact deserues this freedome.

1692 J. Locke 3rd Let. for Toleration ix, in Wks. (1727) II. 394 Whether..your pretending Gain to them,..be a greater Mockery, you were best look.

1749 tr. J. Morin Short Acct. Life & Sufferings Elias Neau 56 Look whether your spirit is occupied about his knowledge.

1879 G. MacDonald Sir Gibbie II. xxx. 123 Nicie..proposed that they should look whether they could see her brother down in the meadow of which her mother had spoken.

2001 Times 24 July i. 6/1 We must look whether the specifications were wrong, the supervision, or whether it was just someone taking us for a ride.

5. transitive. With clause (esp. that-clause, or clause introduced by how) as object: to take care, make sure, be mindful. Chiefly in imperative. Now archaic or regional.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > manner of action > care, carefulness, or attention > take care about [verb (transitive)]

lookeOE

heeda1225

recka1225

intendc1374

curec1384

observec1390

fandc1425

to see unto ——a1470

wake1525

regard1526

tend1549

study1557

foresee1565

beware1566

to have the care of1579

reckon1622

mind1740

eOE King Ælfred tr. Gregory Pastoral Care (Hatton) (1871) lix. 451 Lociað nu [L. videte] ðæt ðios eowru leaf ne weorðe oðrum monnum to biswice.

eOE Laws of Ælfred (Corpus Cambr. 173) Introd. xii. 30 Locige þæt hio hæbbe hrægl.

?a1200 ( tr. Medicina de Quadrupedibus (Harl. 6258B) (1984) 239 Loca [OE Vitell. beheald; L. observabis] þæt þes laecedon ne hrine wæteres ne eorþan.

c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 8549 Loke þat þu na mare swulc þing ne iscire.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) 1966 (MED) Fixs and flesse, o bath i sai, Lok ai þe blod ȝee cast a wai.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 16814 + 15 Pilat..bad þat þai suld loke þat he wore ded for-thy.

?c1425 Recipe in Coll. Ordinances Royal Househ. (Arun. 334) (1790) 434 Loke hit be stondynge.

?c1430 (c1400) J. Wyclif Eng. Wks. (1880) 38 Seynt petyr comaundiþ ȝif ony speke, loke he speke as goddis wordis.

a1470 T. Malory Morte Darthur (Winch. Coll. 13) (1990) I. 35 Looke every of you kyngis lat make such ordinaunce.

1561 T. Hoby tr. B. Castiglione Courtyer iii. sig. Ee.i^v And you (my L. Margaret) looke ye beare it well awaye.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Othello (1622) iv. iii. 8 Dispatch your Attendant there,—looke it be done.

1621–31 W. Laud Serm. (1847) 133 The State must look their proceedings be just, and the Church must look their devotions and actions be pious.

1646 J. Hall Horæ Vacivæ 22 We ought to looke how wee spend our houres here.

1690 E. Gee Jesuit's Mem. 89 Censor to look that no man lived idly.

1742 G. Turnbull Observ. Liberal Educ. 223 Those..that intend ever to govern their children should..look that they perfectly comply with the will of their parents.

a1822 P. B. Shelley Cyclops in Posthumous Poems (1824) 349 When I call, Look ye obey the masters of the craft.

1865 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 2nd Ser. 1 ii. 242 We must look, therefore, that we have the..wide chest, straight back, &c.

1926 F. M. Ford Man could stand Up i. ii. 38 Look how you let in your nearest and dearest—those who have to sympathise with you.

2004 M. Walton-Roberts in P. Jackson et al. Transnational Spaces iv. 89 Son, if you can do something for your own village, if you can afford to do, look that you have everything, all these things, we heard about you.

†a. transitive. To consult or refer to (a book, a particular passage in a book, or an author). Also: to search for (a word, fact, etc.) in a book, source of information, etc. Cf. to look up 2b at Phrasal verbs 1. Obsolete.With imperative use cf. vide v.²

ΘΚΠ

society > communication > reading > [verb (transitive)] > find in a book or paper

looklOE

to look out?1496

to turn to ——1568

to look upa1632

to turn up1710

to turn out1834

the mind > attention and judgement > discovery > research > find out by investigation [verb (transitive)] > by consulting sources

looklOE

seek?a1500

to look upa1632

consulta1634

trawl1906

scan1926

screen1942

lOE Anglo-Saxon Chron. (Laud) (Peterborough interpolation) anno 963 Com þa to þe cyng & leot him locon þa gewrite þe ær wæron gefunden.

a1250 (?c1200) Prov. Alfred (Galba) (transcript of damaged MS) (1955) 77 Ne mai no riht cinȝ ben under criste self bute he be boc-lered..& he cunne lettres locen [a1275 Trin. Cambr. lokin, a1300 Jesus Oxf. lokie] himselfe hu he scall his lond laȝelice helden.

a1325 Statutes of Realm (2011) i. 3 We habbeth iloked [L. inspeximus] þe Grete Chartre of sire Henri.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 9334 (MED) Þat yow tels sent Ieremi, If yee wald lok his propheci.

c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer Pardoner's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 250 Looketh the Bible, and ther ye may it leere.

?c1425 (c1412) T. Hoccleve De Regimine Principum (Royal 17 D.vi) (1860) 111 As the booke kan expresse; Who so it lookethe, fynde it shalle no lesse.

?1530 J. Rastell Pastyme of People sig. Av^v Therfor loke Iulius Cesar his comentaryes.

1599 T. Nashe Lenten Stuffe 58 For his ensainting, looke the Almanack in the beginning of Aprill.

1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues Anonexie, Looke Anorexie.

1640 T. Fuller Joseph's Coat 125 (margin) Look Lord Bacon in his life.

1663 H. Phillippes Purchasers Pattern (ed. 4) ii. 157 Take the compass of the tree... Look this compass in the Table.

1712 J. Bingham Scholastical Hist. Baptism by Laymen App. 145 But he refers his Reader to no Place, and he is left to look it in two or three large Volumes of Athanasius's Works.

1813 J. Adams Let. 9 July in Wks. (1856) X. 49 I found that if I looked a word to-day, in less than a week I had to look it again.

b. transitive. To seek, search for; = to look for —— 1 at Phrasal verbs 2. Also: to be on the lookout for; to seek or search out. regional (chiefly Caribbean) in later use.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > endeavour > searching or seeking > search for or seek [verb (transitive)]

seekc888

aseekc1000

i-secheOE

huntc1175

to seek afterc1175

beseechc1200

fand?c1225

ofseche?c1225

to seek forc1250

atseekc1275

furiec1290

forseeka1300

outseekc1300

upseekc1315

to look after ——c1330

wait1340

laita1350

searchc1350

pursuea1382

ensearchc1384

to feel and findc1384

inseekc1384

looka1398

fraist?a1400

umseeka1400

require?c1400

walec1400

to look up1468

prowla1475

to see for ——c1485

to look for ——a1492

to have in the wind1540

sue1548

vent?1575

seek1616

explore1618

dacker1634

research1650

to see out for1683

quest1752

to see after ——1776

a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) II. xviii. xcvi. 1247 Þe ape..sekeþ and lokeþ [L. quaerit] wormes in mennes hedes and þroweþ hem in his mouþ and eteþ hem.

c1400 (?a1300) Kyng Alisaunder (Laud) (1952) l. 5734 Nyne hundreþ and eiȝtte hij slowȝe, And quyk þei lokeden þerof ynowe To seruen hem in batailles, And to beren her vitailles.

a1450 Generides (Pierpont Morgan) (1865) l. 9038 (MED) Among hem counsel thei toke, A messenger hem to loke Forto send to Generides.

a1500 R. Henryson tr. Æsop Fables: Cock & Jasp l. 93 in Poems (1981) 6 I had leuer go skraip heir with my naillis..and luke my lifys fude.

?1549 J. Hooper Declar. 10 Commandm. xix. p. ccxxx That we shuld not seke it [sc. God's will] with great danger of oure lieffe, to sayle into the Indies for it, or loke it in heauen a boue.

c1600 (?c1395) Pierce Ploughman's Crede (Trin. Cambr. R.3.15) (1873) l. 593 Now mot a frere..loken hem lesynges þat likeþ þe puple.

a1633 A. Munday John a Kent f. 5 Moorton shall looke him now another Bryde.

1650 T. Vaughan Anima Magica To Rdr. sig. G6 He knew it was bootles to look fatal Events in the Planets.

1678 J. Dryden All for Love iv. 52 Octavia, I was looking you, my love.

1752 S. Johnson Rambler No. 138. ⁋11 At her leisure hours she looks goose eggs.

1782 F. Burney Cecilia IV. vii. ix. 143 I'll go look him [sc. a dog], however, for we went at such a rate that I never missed him.

1821 J. Clare Village Minstrel I. 88 Pinders, that such chances look, Drive his rambling cows to pound.

1879 Boy's Own Paper 18 Jan. 14/3 [The monkeys] both set to work and ‘look fleas’ in the hare's fur.

1907 W. Jekyll Jamaican Song & Story 79 Me son, a time fe you go an' look you own living.

1961 F. G. Cassidy Jamaica Talk vii. 148 A very common usage makes look into a transitive verb meaning look for, gather: ‘Arthur and I joined a group of boys to look wood.’

1994 in B. Chevannes Rastafari ii. 49 You pick coconut, you pick pear, you pick orange, you look wood.

†7. transitive. To ordain, decree; to appoint; to decide. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > authority > command > command or bidding > command [verb (transitive)] > ordain, prescribe, or appoint

asetc885

teachc897

deemc900

ashapea1000

i-demeOE

setc1000

shiftc1000

stevenOE

redeOE

willOE

lookc1175

showc1175

stablea1300

devise1303

terminea1325

shapec1330

stightlea1375

determinec1384

judgea1387

sign1389

assize1393

statute1397

commanda1400

decree1399

yarka1400

writec1405

decreetc1425

rule1447

stallc1460

constitute1481

assignc1485

institute1485

prescribec1487

constitue1489

destinate1490

to lay down1493

make?a1513

call1523

plant1529

allot1532

stint1533

determ1535

appointa1538

destinec1540

prescrive1552

lot1560

fore-appoint1561

nominate1564

to set down1576

refer1590

sort1592

doom1594

fit1600

dictate1606

determinate1636

inordera1641

state1647

fix1660

direct1816

the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > absence of doubt, confidence > assured fact, certainty > making certain, assurance > assure, make certain [verb (transitive)] > establish as fact, ascertain

trowa901

lookc1175

take1469

ascertaina1513

certain1523

favoura1530

establish1533

try1542

try1582

tie1623

secure1630

to make sure1644

true1647

determine1650

determinate1666

authenticate1753

constatea1773

verify1801

validate1957

c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 439 Forr godd itt haffde lokedd swa, Þatt sannt iohan bapptisste. Þatt time shollde streonedd ben, Þatt wære onn ȝæness kinde.

a1225 MS Lamb. in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1868) 1st Ser. 73 Þer fore hit wes iloked bi godes wissunge ine halie chirche þet mon scule childre fulhten.

c1225 (?c1200) St. Katherine (Royal) (1981) 560 Godd imon for monnes bruche bette ant eode onbote, as his ahne goddlec lahede him ant lokede.

c1300 St. Kenelm (Harl.) 301 in F. J. Furnivall Early Eng. Poems & Lives Saints (1862) 55 Þe bischop hadde iloked þat hit scholde þider beo ibore.

?a1400 (a1338) R. Mannyng Chron. (Petyt) ii. 36 Þe right lawes did he loke for fals men & fikelle.

c1450 (?a1400) T. Chestre Sir Launfal (1930) l. 782 (MED) I am aredy for to þo All þat þe court wyll loke!

a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. xxviii. 370 A rightwys dome I will me loke, That I tyne not that semely sight.

a1525 Eng. Conquest Ireland (Trin. Dublin) (1896) 72 (MED) He vndretoke such penaunce as holy chyrche hym wold loke [a1500 Rawl. enyoyn].

8. To expect, anticipate.

†a. transitive. With indirect question as object: to expect, await the time when; to anticipate learning how, whether, etc. Obsolete.In quot. 1611 in passive with impersonal subject.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > expectation > expect [verb (transitive)]

weenOE

weenc1000

thinklOE

lookc1225

hopec1330

trusta1387

wait onc1390

supposea1393

to wait after ——1393

to look after ——c1400

thinkc1480

attend1483

suppone1490

expect1535

to expect for1538

aspect1548

respect1549

look1560

ween1589

attend1591

propose1594

await1608

to presume on, upon, or of1608

to look forwards1637

prospect1652

to look for ——a1677

augur1678

anticipate1749

to look to ——1782

spect1839

contemplate1841–8

to look forward1848

eye1979

the mind > mental capacity > expectation > expectation, waiting > wait for, await [verb (transitive)]

bidec950

keepc1000

abideOE

i-kepe?c1225

lookc1225

bidea1300

sustainc1350

await1393

remainc1455

tarry?a1475

attenda1513

expect1536

to stay on1540

watch1578

remain1585

staya1586

to stay for ——1602

tend1604

to bide upona1616

behold1642

prestolate1653

expecta1664

wait1746

c1225 (?c1200) Sawles Warde (Bodl.) (1938) 8 (MED) Ich nat nawt þe time..ah eauer lokið hwenne, for hire wune is to cumen bi stale ferliche.

c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 7731 For æuere heo lokede whænne Hengest come an-uuenan.

c1451 J. Capgrave Life St. Gilbert (1910) 128 (MED) Þei sent aftir prestes of þe same ordre for to be aboute hir in tyme of hir deth, for all loke þei whan sche schal passe.

1534 N. Udall Floures for Latine Spekynge gathered oute of Terence f. 75^v I stode styll & loked whether they wolde beade me to doo any thyng.

1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 112 Loking euery day when his Barons and their confederates would cruelly set vpon him.

1597 W. Shakespeare Richard II i. iii. 232 I lookt when some of you should say, I was too strict.

1611 T. Heywood Golden Age i. sig. B3^v I neuer heard she was commited to prison: yet t'is look't euery houre when she shall be deliuered.

1696 J. Lead Fountain of Gardens sig. P5 I looked when this Appearance would have spoke.

1746 J. Burgh Brit. Remembrancer 4 You looked when this bloody Crew with hasty Marches should arrive at your Metropolis.

1789 W. Gilpin Observ. Picturesque Beauty Scotl. I. xvii. 179 Every moment we looked, when the castle would open to our view.

1830 Pearl (Philadelphia) 2 78 I looked when he should spring from behind a tree to surprise me.

(a) transitive. With to and infinitive or (in early use) clause (esp. that-clause) as object. In later use also (esp. in progressive tenses): to hope, intend, seek to do something.

ΚΠ

c1300 Life & Martyrdom Thomas Becket (Harl. 2277) (1845) l. 1148 (MED) He abod wel there, Lokede forto passi whan best tyme were.

c1449 R. Pecock Repressor (1860) 135 (MED) We loke to be baptisid.

c1475 (?c1400) Apol. Lollard Doctr. (1842) 105 (MED) In þe state of innocens God sett man in paradis of delite, leking [read loking] þat he schuld wirk and kep it.

a1535 T. More Hist. Richard III in Wks. (1557) 39/2 In these last wordes that euer I looke to speake with you.

a1535 T. More Hist. Richard III in Wks. (1557) 37/2 Whose life hee looked that euil dyete shoulde shorten.

1535 Bible (Coverdale) Isa. v. A When he loked y^t it shulde bringe him grapes, it brought forth thornes.

c1595 Countess of Pembroke Psalme lxix. 63 in Coll. Wks. (1998) II. 83 Some I lookt would me vphold.

1604 E. Grimeston tr. J. de Acosta Nat. & Morall Hist. Indies iii. xi. 156 The wind being contrary and stormy, they looked all to perish.

1626 F. Bacon New Atlantis 8 in Sylua Syluarum Wee..saluted him in a very lowly and submisiue manner; As looking that from him, wee should receyue Sentence of Life, or Death.

1651 T. Hobbes Leviathan iii. xlii. 271 By whom we look to be protected.

1657 R. Austen Spirituall Use of Orchard (new ed.) 164 God..lookes every one should be fruit-full under all his dispensations.

1703 J. Havett 13 Serm. Several Pract. Subj. iv. 95 Men must look to meet with adverse Accidents and Troubles sometimes in this World.

1770 H. Brooke Fool of Quality (Dublin ed.) V. xvii. 310 I never look to have a Mistress that I shall love half as well.

1827 R. Southey Select. from Lett. (1856) IV. 168 I too had been looking to hear from you.

1852 H. B. Stowe Uncle Tom's Cabin I. vii. 87 I'm glad Mas'r did n't go off this morning, as he looked to.

1893 Field 11 Mar. 362/3 The..labourer..looks to go to work at a fixed hour.

1896 A. E. Housman Shropshire Lad xxvi. 37 Two lovers looking to be wed.

1911 Motorman & Conductor Jan. 24/1 Bro. L. A. Walton has been exposed to the chicken-pox and is looking to be taken ill at any time.

1963 T. Pynchon V. i. 24 It seemed sometimes that he put himself deliberately in the way of hostile objects, as if he were looking to get schlimazzeled out of existence.

2008 Magnet No. 79. 24/2 I am a pop punk solo artist..looking to be signed to a label soon.

(b) transitive. Originally U.S. With at (see sense 1a(a)) and noun, noun phrase, or gerund as object. In the progressive: to face the prospect of (an event or situation), to anticipate, expect; to contemplate or consider (a plan, course, etc.).

ΚΠ

1927 Washington Post 27 Feb. sm8/1 When the Government come to examine the assets, they find they are practically looking at a total loss.

1969 Las Vegas (New Mexico) Optic 25 Feb. 1/1 If they [sc. state government] are going to give public schools $13 million you are looking at a total tax figure of $30 million.

1984 A. Smith in G. Ursell More Sask. Gold vii. 72 ‘I can get my old man's camper-trailer,’ Boris says... So now we're looking at an overnighter.

1997 Tobacco Control 6 s47/2 The research committee were looking at making smoking one of the main agenda items to pursue.

2012 Belfast Tel. (Nexis) 1 Nov. (Sport section) 56 We're probably looking at something in the region of 5,000 to 6,000 [people attending the event] on Friday and 10,000 to 11,000 on Saturday.

c. transitive. With direct object. In later use only (regional): to expect, ask for (a sum of money) in payment. Cf. to look forward at Phrasal verbs 1, to look for —— 2 at Phrasal verbs 2. rare in later use.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > expectation > expect [verb (transitive)]

weenOE

weenc1000

thinklOE

lookc1225

hopec1330

trusta1387

wait onc1390

supposea1393

to wait after ——1393

to look after ——c1400

thinkc1480

attend1483

suppone1490

expect1535

to expect for1538

aspect1548

respect1549

look1560

ween1589

attend1591

propose1594

await1608

to presume on, upon, or of1608

to look forwards1637

prospect1652

to look for ——a1677

augur1678

anticipate1749

to look to ——1782

spect1839

contemplate1841–8

to look forward1848

eye1979

1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. cccxj What ende at the length doe you loke [L. expectatis] of this obstinacy and vnloyaultie.

a1572 J. Knox Hist. Reformation Scotl. in Wks. (1846) I. 4 We crave of all the gentill Readaris, not to look of us such ane History.

c1595 Countess of Pembroke Psalme cxix. 7 in Coll. Wks. (1998) II. 200 What I look't from thee..I now enioy.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Winter's Tale (1623) iv. iv. 356 The gifts she lookes from me, are packt and lockt Vp in my heart.

1699 J. Gother Instr. Masters, Traders, Labourers, &c. 33 Those, who make this their Gain,..must look from him [sc. God] the Punishment of all the Injustice they have done their Neighbor.

1880 M. A. Courtney W. Cornwall Words in M. A. Courtney & T. Q. Couch Gloss. Words Cornwall 35/2 They are looking a shilling a dozen.

1995 J. Collins Booing the Bishop 73 ‘How much are you looking?’ ‘One-and-six. Um, each.’

** Idiomatic uses of the imperative.

9. Used to direct or draw vision or attention; ‘see’, ‘observe’, ‘take note’, ‘mark this’.

a. Also more emphatically look here.

(a) intransitive. With explicit or implied reference to a person or object.In early use frequently with now.

ΚΠ

OE Ælfric Catholic Homilies: 1st Ser. (Royal) (1997) xxx. 430 Loca nu, her stent þin moder.

OE St. Euphrosyne (Julius) in W. W. Skeat Ælfric's Lives of Saints (1900) II. 340 Loca nu, þin fæder sceal mid me to mynstre.

c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 12726 Loc here. þiss iss godess lamb.

?a1300 Iacob & Iosep (Bodl.) (1916) l. 227 (MED) ‘A! Lokeþ nou,’ heo seide, ‘þis Ebrewisse þef, Of me he wende stille to habben his gome.’

a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 3331 Quod moyses, ‘loc her nu: is bread!’

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 16529 (MED) Los [Gött. Lo] here pris..þat i can for mi lauerd sell.

a1450 in C. Brown Relig. Lyrics 14th Cent. (1924) 93 (MED) Þe blode owt of my hert-rote, loke, it falles downe to my fote.

a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. xxx. 407 Here is a bag-full, lokys, Of pride and of lust.

1513 G. Douglas in tr. Virgil Æneid Exclamatioun 18 Lo, heir he failȝeis, se thar he leis, luik!

?1518 A. Barclay Fyfte Eglog sig. A.v Loke here Amyntas, lorde benedycyte, The cold snowe recheth, moche hygher than my kne.

1570 T. North tr. A. F. Doni Morall Philos. iii. f. 74 O here is a braue sight, looke, here is a goodly ieast.

1607 E. Sharpham Fleire i. sig. C^v Looke, looke, this fellow is like your vpright shoo, he will serue either foote.

1677 A. Behn Town-fopp iii. 37 Look here my Boyes!

1720 D. Defoe Life Capt. Singleton 169 He came running up to us with his Hands full Sand, and saying Look here.

1791 Scots Mag. Feb. 59/2 ‘Look,’ he said, ‘see! where she bleeds beneath thy ruthless arm!’

1795 F. Reynolds Speculation v. 72 Though I didn't get money in India, I've got it in England—look here!

1821 Jem Gudgeon iv. 27 Now look here. His first attack upon religion is in these words.

1843 H. W. Longfellow Spanish Student ii. vi. 98 Look, here he comes.

1916 Boys' Life June 30/1 (advt.) Look! I've made a picture book!

1967 B. Took & M. Feldman Best of ‘Round The Horne’ (2000) 3rd Ser. Programme 19. 181/1 Look it's crocheted on our smocks.

2003 C. Birch Turn again Home xxxii. 368 Hey, look, that's Jack's old man, hey, looka that.

(b) intransitive. Used with reference to what one is about to say, in order to rebuke or entreat someone, or to introduce a suggestion, protest, order, etc.

ΚΠ

1823 T. De Quincey tr. J. A. Apel Fatal Marksman in Pop. Tales & Romances Northern Nations III. 142 Now, look here, Anne: for better than two hundred years has this farm in the forest of Linden come down from father to child in my family.

a1894 R. L. Stevenson Weir of Hermiston (1896) vii. 235 Now, look! This is what I must say.

1911 J. London Mexican in Sat. Evening Post 19 Aug. 8/2 Look here, you little fool... You're nobody.

1954 G. Smith Flaw in Crystal x. 103 ‘But look here,’ I expostulated, by way of a conventional last-ditch stand, ‘You can't tell me you've had the temerity to—’ Words failed me.

1969 Listener 1 May 614/1 Look, my Bill doesn't include any blanket condemnation of unofficial strikes.

1986 ‘J. le Carré’ Perfect Spy xii. 323 Look here, old boy..I don't think we should go through life wearing hairshirts about what we did at our private.

2010 S. McGee Chasing Goldman Sachs ii. 68 Look, if we're going to be honest with ourselves, we need to admit that we wanted it all.

(c) intransitive. colloquial (U.S. and Irish English). With at. Chiefly in look at here. Cf. lookit v. Now rare.

ΚΠ

1825 ‘Notus Nulli’ Microcosmus Philadelphicus 25 Philadelphy's a wonderful town, Look at here for Playhouse, such a tarnal expense.

1877 London Society Sept. 227/2 Now look at here now, Larry Doolan's the boy for a tiger or any other baste in broad daylight.

1920 L. Robinson Whiteheaded Boy iii. 87 Look at here: I'll give you this if you will.

1967 B. Friel Lovers (1969) 125 Lookat—are we going to say prayers or are we not?

b. transitive. With interrogative clause as object. Cf. sense 2b.look who's talking: see talk v. 3f.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > attention > attracting attention > call for attention [interjection]

loOE

lookOE

heya1225

halec1300

notac1392

what hoc1405

yoa1475

behold1535

hist1599

nota benea1721

see1863

psst1875

the mind > attention and judgement > importance > [interjection] > emphasizing a following statement

whatOE

loOE

lookOE

aha1225

loura1225

halec1300

why1545

if (also and) you pleasec1563

ahem1606

I say1613

ahey1696

sithee1828

please it you1881

lookit1907

OE West Saxon Gospels: Mark (Corpus Cambr.) xi. 21 Þa cwæð Petrus, Lareow, loca [L. ecce] hu forscranc þæt fictreow þe ðu wyrigdest.

c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 5872 Ah loke wulche wætres [MS wæstres] & wunliche londes..on to libbenne.

1575 G. Gascoigne Glasse of Gouernem. iv. i. sig. Hiii^v I would be glad to talke with Maister Gnomaticus..and looke where he commeth in haste.

1594 C. Marlowe & T. Nashe Dido ii. sig. B3 Looke where she comes: Æneas viewd her well.

1630 R. Reeks Faith & Good Wks. Vnited 46 Euery hypocrite will say hee loueth God,..but looke how he liueth toward men.

1674 J. Wright Mock-Thyestes i, in tr. Seneca Thyestes 105 You cursed Dog Catchpole, Look what is here, do's your Maw crave it?

1730 T. Walker Fate of Villany iii. 34 Look how the Wretches bind his Warlike Arms!

1782 W. Cowper Retirement in Poems 283 Look where he comes.

1863 Sunday School Teachers' Mag. 14 438/2 The Ragged Schools belonging to our Ragged School Union. Why, look what has sprung of them.

1898 Lippincott's Monthly Mag. May 647 Look where he came from, and look where he is.

1930 Boys' Life Dec. 6/1 He followed his own star, and look what he became!

1975 C. Jacker Harry Outside i. 18 Look how it's concentrating, listening, checking out the area.

2004 G. Woodward I'll go to Bed at Noon xi. 216 Look what you've brought me to. Violence.

c. intransitive. Emphatically with pronoun, as look you, look ye, look thee. Formerly also transitive with interrogative clause as object. Cf. looky v. Now regional or archaic.look you now chiefly in Welsh English, esp. in stereotypical representations.

ΚΠ

?c1400 (c1380) G. Chaucer tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. (BL Add. 10340) (1868) iv. met. vi. l. 4120 Loke þou and bihold þe heyȝtes of souereyne heuene.

1484 W. Caxton tr. G. de la Tour-Landry Bk. Knight of Tower (1971) lvi. 82 Now loke ye and see how by a foolysshe woman cometh many euyllis & domages.

?1577 J. Northbrooke Spiritus est Vicarius Christi: Treat. Dicing 101 Looke thee howe King Demetrius The King of Parthes..Sent a paire of Dice of golde in scorne.

1587 J. Harmar tr. T. de Bèze Serm. ix. 124 Looke yee, this is good and pleasing vnto God.

1600 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 2 ii. ii. 100 Looke you how he writes.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Winter's Tale (1623) iii. iii. 109 Heauy matters, heauy matters: but looke thee heere boy.

1672 Duke of Buckingham Rehearsal i. 5 For, look you, Sir, the grand design..is to keep the Auditors in suspence.

1709 R. Steele Tatler No. 34. ⁋4 Look ye, said I, I must not rashly give my Judgment.

1767 D. Garrick Cymon ii. i. 17 Why, look ye, Sister, I am as little inclin'd to bear these things as yourself.

1826 W. Scott Woodstock III. v. 154 Why look thee, wench, I thought I knew him at the first meeting.

1881 J. Sargisson Joe Scoap's Jurneh ii. 73 Lutheh at them fer two silly feulls.

1885 R. Holland Gloss. Words County of Chester (1886) 210 Loo the! John; folks sen as cottage property's not worth havin.

1917 P. L. Curran Sorry Tale ii. i. 216 Look thee! Look thee! He who hath come from without the walls hath upon his camel's cloths the sign of the great one!

1974 Daily Mail 1 Oct. 8/5 Look you! Plaid Cymru protested to the BBC yesterday over the timing of its only party political broadcast.

1994 C. Coulter Nightingale Legacy (1995) 38 Look ye, Tweks, she's right purty and he's a driveling little toff.

2010 R. Bowen Evan Blessed xxviii. 233 Most of them have their own caravans, look you.

†10.

a. transitive. With interrogative pronoun or adverb, or relative conjunction, as object, in phrases functioning as indefinite relatives, e.g. look who ‘whoever’, look what ‘whatever’, look how ‘however’. Also intransitive with preposition. Obsolete.It is not always clear whether particular instances should be understood in this sense or as examples of sense 4c.

ΚΠ

OE Ælfric Old Eng. Hexateuch: Gen. (Claud.) xvi. 6 Ðrea hi locahu þu wylle.

OE Byrhtferð Enchiridion (Ashm.) (1995) iii. i. 124 Ælc preost sceal witan þæt æfter viii idus Martius, loca hwær beo se mona niwe, þæt he gebyrað to þære Easterlican tide.

lOE Anglo-Saxon Chron. (Laud) anno 1101 Lochweðer þæra gebroðra oðerne oferbide wære yrfeweard ealles Englalandes.

c1400 (?c1380) Pearl l. 463 Þenne loke what hate oþer ay gawle Is tached oþer tyȝed þy lymmeȝ bytwyste.

c1405 (c1395) G. Chaucer Franklin's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 284 Looke what day þ^t endelong Britayne Ye remoeue alle the Rokkes, stoon by stoon..Thanne wol I loue yow best of any man.

1535 Bible (Coverdale) Psalms i. 3 His leeues shal not fall off, and loke what soeuer he doth, it shal prospere.

1535 Bible (Coverdale) Ecclus. i. 13 The loue of God is honorable wiszdome: loke vnto whom it appeareth, they loue it.

1569 R. Grafton Chron. I. vii. 94 And looke what he commaunded, that was done, though some did murmure.

a1600 R. Hooker Of Lawes Eccl. Politie vii. vi, in Wks. (1662) 15 He added farther, that look what duty the Roman Consuls did execute..the like charge had the Bishop.

1609 W. Shakespeare Sonnets xxxvii. sig. C4^v Looke what is best, that best I wish in thee.

1615 W. Lawson Country Housewifes Garden (1626) 23 And looke how farre a tree spreads his boughs aboue, so far doth he put his roots vnder the earth.

1625 C. Burges New Discouery Personal Tithes 31 And looke what the Lawes..enioyne, that thou must doe, or be a Rebell.

1743 A. Pope Dunciad (rev. ed.) p. xxxiv Look of what force ancient Piety was to draw the Gods into the party of Æneas, that, and much stronger is modern Incense, to engage the Great in the party of Dulness.

b. intransitive. Used to emphasize the correspondence of relative and antecedent clauses, in look as ‘just as’. Obsolete.

ΚΠ

c1450 Med. Recipes (BL Add. 33996) in F. Heinrich Mittelengl. Medizinbuch (1896) 65 (MED) Loke as ofte as þou anoyntyst þy visage, þat as ofte þou anoynte þyne heued in þe nodul [a1500 Sloane 405 nuddol] be hynde wyþ hoot watur.

?1504 W. Atkinson tr. Ful Treat. Imytacyon Cryste (Pynson) i. xxiv. sig. Cv^v And loke as they be nowe iugyde of other men so thanne shall they iuge other.

1597 J. Tanner Serm. Paules Crosse (new ed.) 56 But looke as thou sinnest, so shalt thou haue the wages of sinne.

1675 T. Brooks Golden Key 302 Look, as the worth..of many pieces of Silver, is to be found in one piece of Gold; so all the petty excellencies that are scattered abroad in the creatures, are to be found in..Christ.

II. To have a certain appearance.

11.

a. intransitive. With adverb (in early use also adverbial phrase). To appear in a specified way; to have a specified look or appearance. Now somewhat archaic. N.E.D. (1903) remarks that ‘this use is often indiscriminately condemned, but is justly censurable only where look is virtually equivalent to seem, so that it requires a predicative complement and not a qualification of manner’, citing quot. 1648 as an example of the deprecated use, and adds that ‘look now rarely occurs with adverbs of manner other than well, ill, badly’.Some early instances may show an adjective in -ly suffix¹ rather than an adverb.

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > thing seen > appearance or aspect > have (specific) appearance [verb (intransitive)]

looka1225

to make semblantc1290

to make or show (a specified) semblancea1387

showc1480

show1526

eyea1616

aspect1635

face1669

regard1820

feature1941

a1225 (c1200) Vices & Virtues (1888) 133 (MED) Wurðliche hie deð lokin ðe manne ðe hes luuieð.

?c1335 in W. Heuser Kildare-Gedichte (1904) 102 Hi sul agrise And lok as bestis þat cun no witte.

c1400 (c1378) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Laud 581) (1869) B. v. l. 189 So hungriliche [A text hungri] and holwe sire [Heruy] [MS Henri] hym loked.

1542 A. Borde Compend. Regyment Helth xxxix. sig. N.iii For that wyll cause a man to loke agedly.

c1595 Countess of Pembroke Psalme cv. 59 in Coll. Wks. (1998) II. 164 Watry Nilus lookes with bloudy face.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Winter's Tale (1623) iii. iii. 3 The skies looke grimly.

1648 T. Hill Olive Branch 40 This would make you look more amiably and smell more sweetly.

1683 T. Tryon Way to Health 609 How base a thing it is, and how unnaturally it looks, that men should value Money more than they do the Law of God.

1712 J. James tr. A.-J. Dézallier d'Argenville Theory & Pract. Gardening 21 Points and Corners advancing..look very ill upon the Ground.

1719 D. Defoe Farther Adventures Robinson Crusoe 342 To see who look'd with most Guilt in their Faces.

1781 W. Cowper Retirem. 567 Nature indeed looks prettily in rhyme.

1802 J. West Infidel Father II. xvi. 188 Do I also look meanly in her eyes?

1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. 497 On the whole, however, things as yet looked not unfavourably for James.

1891 Sir A. Wills in Law Times 91 233/2 Things had, by that time, begun to look badly for all concerned.

1904 Daily Chron. 1 Sept. 8/5 Corduroy velvet would certainly look well, but it would be less suitable than the woollen.

2014 K. Addison Goblin Emperor xv. 165 It looks ill for the emperor to arrive late to give an audience.

b. intransitive. With various complements. To have the appearance, or give the impression, of being; to seem to the sight or to the mind.When used of a person, often with connotations of sense 1b (see note in etymology).For use in figurative phrases, as to look black, to look blue, to look small, etc., see the final element.

ΚΠ

c1330 [implied in: Short Metrical Chron. (Auch.) l. 1985 in PMLA (1931) 46 141/1 (MED) William þe red king..was..a wel sterne lokeand [a1400 BL Add. lokynge, c1432 Cambr. Dd.14.2 lokande] gome. (at looking adj. 1)].

c1390 (a1376) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Vernon) (1867) A. xi. l. 135 I kende furst Masouns, And lered hem liuel and lyne, þauȝ I loke dimme.

a1450 (?c1421) J. Lydgate Siege Thebes (Arun.) (1911) l. 89 (MED) Ȝe be welcom..That loke so pale, al deuoyde of blood.

1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection iii. sig. ZZZi^v Resolueth all the grosenes of the oyle, and maketh it to loke clere.

1588 A. Munday tr. C. Colet Famous Hist. Palladine Eng. i. f. 2 The Clowde began to vanish away, and the heauens looked fayre and cheerefull as before.

1658 A. Wood Life & Times (1891) I. 243 He look'd elderly and was cynical and hirsute in his behavior.

1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis xi, in tr. Virgil Wks. 541 All pale he lies, and looks a lovely Flow'r.

1712 T. Hearne Remarks & Coll. (1889) III. 486 'Twould have look'd vain, and ostentatious.

1761 F. Sheridan Mem. Miss Sidney Bidulph I. 15 He is grown fat, and looks quite robust.

1801 M. Edgeworth Forester in Moral Tales I. 79 Henry looked in great anxiety.

1857 J. Ruskin Polit. Econ. Art i. 1 I see that some of my hearers look surprised at the expression.

1886 B. M. Butt Lesterre Durant I. xix. 304 London was certainly not looking its best.

1897 Windsor Mag. Jan. 274/1 No. 1..looked such a much larger house than it was..No. 2..was such a much larger house than it looked.

1911 R. D. Saunders Col. Todhunter iii. 43 It looks good to me, suh.

1959 A. Sillitoe Loneliness of Long-distance Runner iii. 185 The sports ground looked a treat: with big tea-tents all round and flags flying.

2012 Daily Tel. 9 May 20/1 It's tough to be a lonely proponent of graceful ageing, when almost every woman you know who looks fabulous after the age of 50 has had something done.

c. intransitive. With to and infinitive. To seem to the view (literal and figurative).

ΚΠ

1657 W. London Catal. Most Vendible Bks. Eng. To Rdr. sig. B3^v There's no action whose Naturall tendency is not to Meum, Tuum, or both..; neither do they look to me, To be such great opposites.

1725 R. Bradley Chomel's Dictionaire Œconomique at Fox-gloves Plant them gently.., take away every thing that looks to be dead about them.

1775 E. Burke Speech Resol. for Concil. Colonies 28 It looks to me to be narrow and pedantic, to apply the ordinary ideas of criminal justice to this great public contest.

1793 W. Roberts Looker-on No. 81. 646 To make a display..looks to be, with the major part, the real object which assembles them.

1801 Farmer's Mag. Nov. 420 The infield, or town-land..looked to be good.

1893 Graphic 25 Mar. 298/1 The Queen looked to be in good health.

1914 Automobile 27 Aug. 390/2 Always a front-runner, he soon opened a gap on the field which looked to be a safe one.

1945 H. L. Mencken Diary 30 Apr. (1989) 362 The wallpaper and carpets, not to mention the furniture, looked to be at least fifty years old.

2008 J. Hayes Precious Blood 84 Nothing looks to be stolen.

d. intransitive. With noun phrase as complement. To have an appearance befitting or according with one's character, condition, role, etc. Cf. to look one's age at Phrases 2d, to look the sort (also type, kind) at Phrases 2e, to look the part at part n.¹ Phrases 3d(c).Recorded earliest in to look oneself at Phrases 2c.

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > thing seen > appearance or aspect > have (specific) appearance [verb (transitive)] > have befitting appearance

look1822

1822 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. July 79 How your brow it up-brightens—You now look yourself, man, and not a la Werter.

1825 N.-Y. Lit. Gaz. 3 Dec. 206/2 He looked (as it is technically expressed) the character extremely well. The reverent silver of his hair well accorded with his bent frame, tremulous voice, and feeble movements; he tottered across the stage like a man of fourscore.

1842 L. Hunt in Edinb. Rev. Oct. 208 Though people do not always seem what they are, it is seldom they do not look what they can do.

1877 C. M. Yonge Cameos cxxxviii, in Monthly Packet July 27 She looked her full forty-three years.

1913 W. D. Howells Familiar Spanish Trav. v. 116 A sort of handsome, foolish fleshy George Fourthish person looking his character and history.

1970 Flying Sept. s-15/1 They are ‘brains’, but they refuse to look the role.

2000 A. McCaffrey Pegasus in Space x. 235 Lieutenant Ranjit Youssef..successfully looked his role as a menial worker.

III. To face a certain way, have a certain outlook.

12.

a. intransitive. With adverb. Of a part of the body: to face or turn in a particular direction. Also figurative. Now rare.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > direction > point or lie in a direction [verb (intransitive)] > have specific aspect > of parts of the body

look?c1400

?c1400 (c1380) G. Chaucer tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. (BL Add. 10340) (1868) iii. met. ii. l. 1879 Yif þat þe hande of hym þat it bente lat it gon aȝein. An oon þe crop lokeþ vp ryȝt to heuene.

1588 T. Hariot Briefe Rep. Virginia sig. D2 The snags of their [sc. Deare] hornes looke backward.

1656 J. Smith Compl. Pract. Physick 246 The knee and Foot look inwards.

1687 W. Hope Scots Fencing-master 17 The points of your Fingers must not look upwards, but pointing towards your Adversary.

1796 W. Withering Arrangem. Brit. Plants (ed. 3) I. 388 Bearing the flowers underneath, the florets looking downwards.

1863 T. H. Huxley Evid. Man's Place Nature i. 23 Their nostrils have a narrow partition, and look downwards.

1898 A. Cahan Imported Bridegroom iv. 194 The way her little nose, the least bit retroussé, would look upward.

1907 Practitioner Apr. 486 The arms are fixed in a position of rigid extension, and frequently superpronation, so that the palms looked outward.

b. intransitive. With adverb complement or phrase. To have or afford a certain outlook or aspect; to face, front, or be turned towards, into, on to, etc.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > direction > point or lie in a direction [verb (intransitive)] > have specific aspect

beholda1382

look?1440

stand?1473

turn1535

prospect1555

spect1585

face1638

point1859

tr. Palladius De re Rustica (Duke Humfrey) (1896) ii. l. 345 (MED) Sette their tre to loke on thaquylone [L. in aquilonis partem dirigemus].

1534 W. Marshall tr. Erasmus Playne & Godly Expos. Commune Crede f. 62^v It [sc. a gate] dyd not loke but onely towardis the easte, from whence the moste pure sonne dothe vprise.

a1586 Sir P. Sidney Arcadia (1590) iii. xxi. sig. Vu2^v Each of these chambers had a litle windowe to looke into the hall.

1596 J. Dalrymple tr. J. Leslie Hist. Scotl. (1895) II. 193 That parte of the Castel that luikis to Tued.

1611 Bible (King James) Num. xxi. 20 Pisgah, which looketh toward Ieshimon.

1678 J. Dryden All for Love ii. 29 Unbar the Gate that looks to Cæsar's Camp.

1732 G. Berkeley Alciphron I. iii. i. 154 A Summer-Parlour which looks into the Garden.

1786 M. A. Meilan tr. A. Berquin Children's Friend XXIV. 71 All along the wall, that looked full south, were peaches, nectarines, and grapes.

1821 P. B. Shelley Epipsychidion 27 I have fitted up some chambers there Looking towards the golden Eastern air.

1866 M. Arnold Thyrsis ii, in Macmillan's Mag. Apr. 449 The Signal-Elm, that looks on Ilsley Downs.

1886 B. M. Butt Lesterre Durant I. v. 61 The windows looking north.

1941 D. Thomas Let. 22 May (1985) 484 I have the..summerhouse looking over the marsh to write in.

a1985 P. White With the Jocks (2003) 7 A figure appeared for a few seconds at a window to the centre of a row of houses looking on the beach.

2010 J. McGregor Even Dogs 137 A window in one wall which looks on to a small office.

13.

†a. intransitive. To display a tendency, or seem likely, to do something. Obsolete. rare.

ΘΚΠ

the world > existence and causation > existence > state or condition > tendency > tend or incline [verb (intransitive)]

wryc888

driveOE

drawc1175

rine?c1225

soundc1374

tendc1374

lean1398

clinea1400

movec1450

turnc1450

recline?a1475

covet1520

intend?1521

extenda1533

decline?1541

bow1562

bend1567

follow1572

inflecta1575

incline1584

warpa1592

to draw near1597

squint1599

nod1600

propend1605

looka1616

verge1664

gravitate1673

set1778

slant1850

trend1863

tilt1967

a1616 W. Shakespeare Coriolanus (1623) iii. iii. 29 He speakes What's in his heart, and that is there which lookes With vs to breake his necke.

b. intransitive. To display a tendency; to tend, point (in a particular direction). Now rare.

ΘΚΠ

the world > existence and causation > existence > state or condition > tendency > tend or incline [verb (intransitive)] > go in a certain direction

incline?a1475

alien?1541

propend1545

sway1556

wing1617

lie1633

look1647

vergea1661

bias1683

preponderate1693

give1840

canalize1927

1647 H. Hammond Of Power of Keyes iv. 84 The context looketh wholly that way.

1674 N. Fairfax Treat. Bulk & Selvedge 188 The Argument drawn from Gods unbounded power and goodness, as looking towards the behoof of the Creature will ever fall short upon this score.

a1701 H. Maundrell Journey to Jerusalem (1721) 42 Its sense seems to look that way.

1745 J. Markland Remarks Epist. 100 The Meaning looks one way and the words another.

1806 H. K. White Let. July in Remains (1807) I. 233 He thinks it looks towards epilepsy.

1869 E. M. Goulburn Pursuit of Holiness x. 93 In this direction look the words of our Lord to St. Thomas.

1906 Eccl. Rev. Mar. 229 There is a dread in many loyal minds that the facts look toward the theory.

1951 E. J. Poole-Connor Evangelicalism in Eng. v. 63 It is impossible for them to credit that his salvation lay in the application of some uncertain rite... All the facts look the other way.

Phrases

P1. In phrases relating to the act of directing one's sight or attention, and related senses (cf. branch I.).

a. With prepositions (chiefly at).

(a) to look at (also †on, upon): (as postmodifying clause following an adjective such as fair, nice, ugly, etc.): with respect to appearance.not to be much to look at: see much pron. and n. 1c.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > humility > feeling of shame > be ashamed [verb (intransitive)] > be embarrassed

to look ateOE

not to know which way (also where) to look1566

to sink through the floor1839

to have (get, etc.) egg on one's face1964

eOE tr. Orosius Hist. (BL Add.) (1980) ii. iv. 43 Seo burg wæs getimbred an fildum lande.., & heo wæs swiþe fæger an to locianne.

lOE King Ælfred tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. (Bodl.) (2009) I. vi. 251 Þonne wyrð heo [sc. the sea] swiðe hraðe ungladu, þeah heo ær gladu wære on to locienne.

c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 3585 Crist iss..luffsumm onn to lokenn.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) 23228 (MED) Fell dragons and tades bath þat ar apon to lok ful lath.

?a1475 (a1396) W. Hilton Scale of Perfection (Harl. 6579) i. lxxxv. f. 58 (MED) Þan is þis an vgli ymage for to loken vpon.

1535 Bible (Coverdale) Zech. v. 6 Euen thus are they (y^t dwell vpon the whole earth) to loke vpon.

c1540 (?a1400) Gest Historiale Destr. Troy (2002) f. 26^v Large on to loke louely of shap.

1611 Bible (King James) Gen. xii. 11 I know that thou art a faire woman to looke vpon.

1697 J. Evelyn Numismata ix. 314 What is large, procere, goodly, and beautiful to look on.

1740 A. Baxter Matho I. v. 316 A clear whitish Maggot, not unpleasant to look at.

1776 J. Kennedy Treat. Planting xi. 252 They will grow very large, and fine to look at, but will not be so high-flavoured.

1838 Maritime Scraps 103 So clean, and round, and plump, and fat, So nice to look at, and all that.

1876 London Society Jan. 54/1 She is coarse and ugly to look at; but this is not all, for she is malicious and deceiving.

1913 ‘A. Hallard’ tr. ‘P. de Coulevain’ Amer. Nobility ii. iii. 241 Oh, but it is awful to look at!

1976 Ebony Oct. 146 (caption) The printed crepe-de-chine jumpsuit is as easy to wear as it is lovely to look at.

2003 Dreamwatch Aug. 68/1 This latest effort from the House of Mouse is both nice to look at and enjoyable to watch.

(b) not to look at (also †on, †upon). Frequently with would, could.

(i) To avoid completely; to have nothing to do with.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > hatred > dislike > [verb (transitive)]

mislikea1225

to like illa1350

to have no fancy with1465

mislovec1485

abominec1500

not to look ata1529

to have no will of, (also in)1548

misaffect1586

to have or take a stitch againsta1591

dislike1593

to take (a) toy to (also at)1598

disfavour1599

disgust1601

disaffect1609

mistaste1613

disrelisha1616

dispalate1630

abominate1652

disfancy1657

to have it in for1825

to have a down on1835

to sour on1862

to go off ——1877

derry1896

the world > action or operation > doing > activity or occupation > occupy or engage (a person) [verb (transitive)] > have to do with or be involved in or with > not

not to look ata1529

to have nothing to say to (also with)1603

a1529 J. Skelton Magnyfycence (?1530) sig. Gi^v What wylte thou skelpe me y^u dare not loke on a gnat.

1657 J. Dodington tr. C. Vialart Hist. Govt. France 461 Charles the Seventh, would not look upon his Son..for having treated a Match with Charlotte de Savoy, without his knowledge.

1796 P. Hoare Lock & Key ii. 39 I see he wo'n't even look at the steward except by proxy.

1859 Ld. Tennyson Enid in Idylls of King 81 If he rise no more, I will not look at wine until I die.

1881 Jrnl. Soc. Arts 4 Feb. 193/1 They took securities, which, in cooler moments, they would not look at.

1920 Boys' Life Sept. 48/1 (advt.) You know that fox won't look at your traps.

1990 J. McGahern Amongst Women 14 ‘Are you sure you won't chance a drop?’.. ‘I couldn't handle it... I had to give it up. Now I couldn't look at it.’

2010 B. Gruley Skeleton Box xiv. 138 I couldn't look at another can of SpaghettiOs.

(ii) not to look at (a person) and variants: to find (a person) unattractive; to show no romantic or sexual interest in (a person). Occasionally in positive contexts.

ΚΠ

1750 Fables & Tales for Ladies 139 Cloddy, muddy pated Cur, Wou'd not so much as look at her.

1782 F. Burney Cecilia V. ix. ii. 25 I am sure if my son had ever done it [i.e. worked in business], I should not expect any lady would so much as look at him.

1842 K. Thomson Widows & Widowers I. xiv. 311 She wouldn't even look at him; yet I may say he offers to her once a year, still.

1894 E. Œ. Somerville & ‘M. Ross’ Real Charlotte II. xx. 78 There was no other woman here that signified except Miss Dysart, and it didn't seem likely she'd look at him.

1937 M. Sharp Nutmeg Tree xx. 266 If I married you I'd never look at another man so long as I lived.

1981 T. C. Boyle Water Music (1983) iii. 408 Would she so much as look at another man if he hadn't broken his marital vows?

2007 Independent 22 Sept. 49/6 He told her that he loved her, wanted her to have his baby which he'd cherish to his dying breath, and would never look at another woman again.

(c)

(i) to look on (formerly also †to) the bright (or dark, etc.) side of (something): to consider a positive (or negative) aspect or facet of (something, esp. a situation or event); to regard (something) with optimism (or pessimism).

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > pleasure > cheerfulness > be cheerful [verb (intransitive)] > be cheerfully optimistic

to look on (formerly also to) the bright (or dark, etc.) side of (something)1663

the mind > emotion > suffering > dejection > melancholy > be or become melancholy [verb (intransitive)] > view pessimistically

to look on (formerly also to) the bright (or dark, etc.) side of (something)1848

1663 T. Brooks in Second & Last Coll. London Ministers Farewel Serm. 68 Look as well on the bright side as on the darke side of the cloud.

1715 G. Sendall Disc. Brevity & Misery Human Life 34 Many look only on the bright Side, and best part of it.

1787 P. H. Maty tr. J. K. Riesbeck Trav. Germany I. xx. 232 It is very true, that when you look on the dark side of them only, great cities seem a disgrace to humanity.

1833 W. F. Hook Let. 9 Dec. in W. R. W. Stephens Life & Lett. W. F. Hook (1878) I. iv. 258 I am a bit of an optimist, I always look to the bright side of things.

1848 J. Ruskin Let. 17 Mar. in M. Lutyens Ruskins & Grays (1972) xi. 98 My disposition is to look to the worst side of things and..I feared you were entirely ruined.

1875 Missouri Dental Jrnl. 7 279 He always looked on the gloomy side of this world's affairs.

1914 R. L. Frost North of Boston 69 But I don't count on it as much as Len. He looks on the bright side of everything.

1926 Hardware Dealers' Mag. Mar. 29 (advt.) Why look on the unpleasant side of this picture.

2007 J. Swain Midnight Rambler vii. 41 Jessie was always telling me to look on the bright side of things.

(ii) to look on the dark (or black, gloomy, etc.) side: to be pessimistic or miserable.

ΚΠ

1790 C. Moore Full Inq. Suicide I. ii. iv. 59 Why should he look on the dark side only, and yield to every gloomy and melancholic impression?

1832 Missionary Herald (Boston) Sept. 308/1 Having rather a propensity to look on the dark side.

1856 Peterson's Mag. Oct. 248/1 A cold stormy night... And one to make a man fear evil things—have strange fancies, and look on the gloomy side.

1915 Sun (Baltimore) 20 June iv. 5/2 You must not look on the black side like that.

1973 Financial Times 17 Nov. 17/8 Still, that's looking on the bleak side.

2010 C. Young Help Yourself towards Mental Health 150 You constantly look on the dark side.

(iii) to look on the bright (also positive, etc.) side: to be optimistic or cheerful, esp. in the face of difficulties. Frequently in imperative.

ΚΠ

1793 S. Hopkins Syst. of Doctr. II. ii. iv. 152 The other..looks more on the favourable side, and makes the best of what he sees in himself.

1821 Relig. Intelligencer (New-Haven, Conn.) 25 Aug. 206/2 One looks on the bright side and is captivated.

1852 H. B. Stowe Uncle Tom's Cabin II. xxiv. 82 Well, of course, if you can look on the bright side, pray do.

1919 Mind & Body Mar. 45 Let us look on the positive side.

1942 ‘P. Wentworth’ Pursuit of Parcel xi. 51 Well, ducks, I shouldn't take on. Look on the bright side.

2008 B. A. Smith Path of Reason vii. 196 It is the desire for happiness that often causes people to say that we should look on the bright side.

(d) to look at him (also her, etc.): judging from his (her, etc.) appearance.

ΚΠ

1739 H. Baker & J. Miller tr. Molière School for Wives iv. i, in Molière Wks. III. 193 One would swear, to look at her [Fr. à la voir], that she had not the least Hand in't.

1791 A. Berquin tr. Mme de Cambon Little Grandison ii. iii. 75 One would think, to look at him, that he had done the mischief himself.

1846 Bentley's Misc. 20 433 No one would think me more than five or six-and-thirty, to look at me.

1898 Westm. Gaz. 16 Apr. 1/3 Celia is strong-minded. You would not think so to look at her.

1908 F. M. White Myst. Four Fingers xxiii. 267 A counterfeit. You wouldn't think so to look at it, would you?

1951 Rotarian Oct. 24/1 To look at him you'd never guess that for 18 years..he had to walk on all fours.

2007 M. Bostwick On Wings of Morning xxxii. 280 You've got a big appetite. Though you'd never know it to look at you.

(e) as soon (also quick) as look at you (also him, etc.): (esp. with reference to rash or hostile action) immediately and without hesitation.

ΚΠ

1765 I. Bickerstaff Maid of Mill ii. x. 51 Ecod I'd try a bout as soon as look at him.

1829 T. C. Croker Legends Lakes I. ii. 43 A jantleman that'll put his hand in his pocket and give a man a two-an'-sixpenny bit as soon as look at him.

1881 Californian Aug. 173/2 She's so strong when she's mad, she just lifts up her foot and slams a door through quick as look at it.

1946 E. O'Neill Iceman Cometh iii. 193 From what I've seen of 'em..they'd run over you as soon as look at you.

1971 ‘M. Torrie’ Bismarck Herrings xi. 156 Threatened to report you to the council as soon as look at you, she did.

2009 M. Barratt Wild Man (2010) x. 104 The old monster'd have me in the river as soon as look at me.

(f) colloquial. With objective pronoun used reflexively. never (also not) to look behind one: = never (also not) to look back at Phrasal verbs 1. Now rare.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > prosperity > advancement or progress > advance, progress, or develop [verb (intransitive)] > advance or make progress > uninterrupted

never (also not) to look behind one1821

1821 Newcastle Mag. May 507/1 Self prostration is the sure way to independence... Isaac Huckaback, the haberdasher, never looked behind him after he began to cringe.

c1852 in E. Bellasis Memorials Mr. Serjeant Bellasis (1893) 150 He did not look behind him, but got better and better.

1911 C. Richardson New Bk. Horse xviii. 232/2 It took him the best part of another year to acquire condition. After that, he never looked behind him, and he is now in his tenth season as a hunter.

(g) Cricket colloquial. to be able to look at: (of a batter) to be able to cope with, to do well against (a bowler, etc.). Chiefly in negative contexts. Now rare.

ΚΠ

1863 Baily's Monthly Mag. Apr. 150 The former [sc. certain bowlers] gradually ‘lifted it’ higher and higher, until on some grounds in hot, dry weather ‘a batsman could hardly look at them’.

1895 Daily News 26 Aug. 7/1 When he [sc. a bowler] went on for the second time the batsmen..‘could not look at him’.

1904 R. S. Holmes Hist. Yorks. County Cricket xi. 143 Only one batsman—Gregory—could look at the bowling.

(h) here's looking at you: used as a toast.Now widely associated with the film Casablanca (1942); see quots. 1942, 2005.

ΚΠ

1871 Philadelphia Photographer Aug. 253/1 Well! here's looking at you.

1930 J. Dos Passos 42nd Parallel i. 119 ‘Pard, have that on me.’.. ‘Thanks, here's lookin at you.’

1942 J. Epstein et al. Casablanca in Best Amer. Screenplays (1986) 143/2 Here's looking at you, kid.

1979 D. Ellis tr. R. Marteau Pentecost xvi. 60 Piedlevé grabbed his glass in his right hand and stood up abruptly. ‘Here's looking at you!’

2005 T. Darlington Narrow Dog to Carcassonne (2006) v. 146 At this speed we won't live to get to Paris... But here's looking at you, kid.

b. Proverbial and idiomatic phrases.

†(a) to live and look: to retain one's faculties. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > health and disease > be in state of health [verb (intransitive)] > be in usual health

to live and lookc1390

to be myselfa1675

to feel (quite) oneself1812

to look oneself1822

to feel (quite) like oneself1838

to feel (like) myself1886

c1390 (a1376) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Vernon) (1867) A. ix. l. 49 But ȝif I may liuen and loken I schal go lerne betere.

(b) Proverb. look before you leap and variants: one should not act without first considering the possible consequences or dangers; one should avoid acting rashly or impetuously.

ΚΠ

c1450 MS Douce 52 in Festschrift zum XII. Neuphilologentage (1906) 57 (MED) First loke and aftirward lepe.

1528 W. Tyndale Obed. Christen Man f. cxxx Loke yer thou lepe, whose literall sence is, doo nothynge sodenly or without avisemente.

1582 G. Whetstone Heptameron Ciuill Disc. iii. sig. k.ij Looke before you leape, leaste you be wet, before you be a ware.

1629 F. Quarles Argalus & Parthenia i. 35 The sickle that's too early, cannot reape A fruitfull Haruest: Looke, before you leape.

1659 J. Howell Prov. Eng. Toung 9/1 in Παροιμιογραϕια Look ere you leap.

1718 C. Molloy Coquet ii. 42 We must take care of our selves, and look before we leap.

1793 M. Pilkington Rosina III. ix. 58 There's no good in being in a hurry:—people should always look before they leap.

1816 J. Wilson City of Plague i. ii. 90 Ay, she intends to look before she leaps.

1872 Tinsleys' Mag. Mar. 191/2 The advantage of looking before you leap, or, in other words, of not being carried away by your impulses.

1904 Jrnl. Gas Lighting 9 Feb. 335/2 Some wiser than the others have looked before they leapt, and have given the matter some consideration.

1966 M. Pei How to learn Langs. 60 Look before you leap, and browse before you buy.

2010 L. M. Dietlin Transformational Philanthropy xii. 150 Look before you leap: there is a lot more to running a foundation and administering a grants program than meets the eye.

(c) not to know which way (also where) to look and variants: to be overwhelmed or confounded, esp. (in later use) with embarrassment.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > humility > feeling of shame > be ashamed [verb (intransitive)] > be embarrassed

to look ateOE

not to know which way (also where) to look1566

to sink through the floor1839

to have (get, etc.) egg on one's face1964

1566 W. Painter Palace of Pleasure I. lii. f. 305 He..was so astonned, that many tymes being before her, he coulde not tell which way to loke or tourne his face.

1622 J. Mabbe tr. M. Alemán Rogue ii. 173 I did itch all the while this tale was on foot, and knew not which way to looke, nor what to say.

1658 P. Goodwin Mystery of Dreames i. 3 It came upon us so secret and so sudden, that we were at a loss, and knew not which way to look.

1725 G. Odingsells Bath Unmask'd ii. vi. 25 I am so confounded at your Impudence, I dont know which way to look.

1776 Lady A. Miller Lett. from Italy II. xxxii. 142 I was so amazed, so astonished,..that I did not know which way to look.

1814 J. Austen Mansfield Park I. v. 101 She came up to me..and talked and laughed till I did not know which way to look. I felt that I must be the jest of the room.

1861 C. M. Yonge Young Step-mother xxviii. 420 Albinia did not know which way to look when all was ascribed to Mr. Kendal's great kindness to him.

1918 R. Cohen Out of Shadow xxiii. 93 Neither of them spoke for a few minutes and Kate did not know where to look.

1941 H. Nicolson Diary 8 July (1967) 177 He then stalks out of the room. We are left ashamed and wretched and do not know which way to look.

2001 C. Hope Heaven Forbid vi. 67 You were a very sick child... And then, if you'd—after the trouble they took—if you'd … Well, if you had—I wouldn't have known where to look.

2012 Border Mail (Nexis) 12 May 23 He crooned, some of the ladies just smiled and many didn't know which way to look.

(d) to look over one's shoulder: (a) to look back or behind, especially to check for possible danger; frequently in to be looking over one's shoulder: to be anxious or insecure about a perceived threat; (b) figurative to reflect upon the past; to call to mind, recollect, or draw inspiration from past events.

ΚΠ

1570 J. Foxe Actes & Monumentes (rev. ed.) II. 1396/2 Then Filmer looking ouer his shoulder, desired some good body to let him see the booke of Statutes.

1628 Z. Boyd Last Battell Soule 938 O my deare friendes looke ouer your shulder back to your bygone life.

1710 W. Oldisworth Dial. Timothy & Philatheus II. viii. 194 If you turn your Back, be sure you look over your Shoulder, for fear of being assaulted from behind.

1791 J. Lackington Memoirs iv. 25 The man who had the sheet on, looked over his shoulder, and saw..a person all over black behind him.

1817 J. Bradbury Trav. Amer. 19 He ran nearly half way across the plain before he ventured to look over his shoulder, when he perceived that the Indians were very much scattered.

1895 B. Harrison in H. Casson ‘Uncle Jerry’ i. 5 You had no need to look over your shoulder when Jerry Rusk stood between you and those who assailed you from the rear.

1925 S. Lewis Arrowsmith xxxvi. 399 He hated the criticism of his fellow laboratory-grinds as he had hated their competition; he had hated the need of forever looking over his shoulder at pursuers.

1933 H. Loeb Life in Technocracy vi. 136 The romances, the adventure stories, and the success epics suffer, in the telling more than in the showing, from the producers looking over their shoulders at some ideal they confuse with literature.

1973 I. Reed in J. O'Brien Interviews with Black Writers 181 I think that the young black writer draws from this experience instead of looking over his shoulder to Homer.

2005 Gay Times Dec. 107/1 It's best to be honest now, otherwise you'll always be looking over your shoulder, wondering if you might get caught.

(e) go look: used to convey a contemptuous refusal to answer a question; ‘find out for yourself’. Now rare (English regional in later use). N.E.D. (1900, at Go v.) notes: ‘common in Derbyshire’.In quot. 1596 as a polite translation for a more scatological expression in the original Latin.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > discovery > find for yourself [phrase]

go look1596

1596 J. Harington tr. T. More in New Disc. Aiax 23 Against garlikes sauour, at one word, I know but one receipt, whats that? go looke [L. tantum tollere merda potest].

1597 J. Lyly Woman in Moone v. sig. Fii^v If you aske me why I sing, I say yee may go looke.

1622 T. Dekker & P. Massinger Virgin Martir v. sig. K4^v The. What's thy name slaue? Har. Goe looke.

1784 S. Johnson Let. 27 Mar. in J. Boswell Life Johnson (1791) II. 485 He [sc. John Floyer] was not much less than eighty, when to a man of rank who modestly asked him his age, he answered, ‘Go look’.

1790 Old Poor Robin 43 But why dont you continue that manner?..why dont you write as formerly? My answer was—Go look.

1820 R. Anderson Poet Wks. II. 144 I ax'd a smart chap where to fin cousin Jacep, Says he, ‘Clown, go look!’

1825 Edinb. Mag. Jan. 46/1 When we inquire of the grey-haired man our way to the next village, he bids us go, look—of the child, follow your nose.

(f) to look one's (also the) last: to take a final look; to look for the last time. Also with at, on, upon. Cf. sense 1d, last n.⁴ 4b. Now somewhat archaic.

ΚΠ

1599 W. Shakespeare Romeo & Juliet v. iii. 112 Eyes looke your last .

1676 N. Lee Sophonisba ii. i. 16 My Eyes twinkle as they'd look their last.

1684 N. Lee Constantine Great v. ii. 56 Thou hast look'd thy last.

1707 E. Settle Siege of Troy iii. 21 My Paris dead! On this sad Object fixt, Eyes look your last.

1770 O. Goldsmith Deserted Village 20 The poor exiles..fondly looked their last, And took a long farewell.

1888 T. Whitelaw Gospel St. John 413 Mary was there to look the last..upon her Son.

1896 A. E. Housman Shropshire Lad viii. 13 Terence, look your last at me, For I come home no more.

1918 H. R. Haggard Love Eternal xiii. 241 She looked her last on the snows of the glorious peak of Orizaba, but soon these faded away into the skyline.

1954 J. R. R. Tolkien Fellowship of Ring ii. viii. 394 I have looked the last upon that which was fairest.

2004 A. Sallah & C. Ellery tr. W. Ikhlassi Whatever happened to Antara 31 She went out into the diwan, as if to look her last on the elephant ear.

†(g) look else: see whether it is not so. Obsolete (poetic and archaic in later use).

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > truthfulness, veracity > tell the truth [verb (transitive)] > test truth of

look else1610

try1970

1610 Bp. J. Hall Sixt Decade v. 45 in Epist. (1611) III. Looke else, where the Church of Thyatira suffers the Woman Iezabel to teach and deceyue.

1677 Mite from Mourner (single sheet) Its not all that cries to Christ, Lord, Lord, Must enter Heaven: look else in his Word, Though this Age fancies all that dyes are blest.

?1758 J. Railton Introd. Extract entitled Zealous Remonstr. 23 Look-else; Britons may see—That I am no Dastard.

1874 A. C. Swinburne Bothwell i. i. 4 I am no king mayhap—I do not say yet I shall die no king—God knows that, and is wise—but man I am, Look else, who love you.

(h) to look to the future: to anticipate, consider, or plan for future events or circumstances, esp. as an alternative to focusing on the short term or worrying about the past or present; cf. to look ahead at Phrasal verbs 1.

ΚΠ

1620 F. W. Paterson Protestants Theol. 38 Hope and confidence respect, and looke to the future.

1658 A. Burgess Treat. Orig. Sinne iii. i. 214 It is wisdome to look to the future.

1786 H. Mackenzie Lounger No. 66 262 There was scarce a past tense in his ideas; they always looked to the future.

1835 T. Arnold Let. 10 Feb. in A. P. Stanley Life of Dr. Arnold (1844) I. 365 The Conservatives and the Advancers; those who look to the past or present, and those who look to the future.

1861 Amer. Agriculturist July 207/2 We therefore advise the economy which looks to the future of the meadow. Do not cut next year's grass in the great eagerness to make the most of the present crop.

1913 Hist. Teacher's Mag. Apr. 94/1 History steadies us in our own day, and enables us to run our race with patience, looking to the future with confidence.

1963 M. Stocks E. Simon of Manch. xi. 152 He had always looked to the future. Now the future held this mushroom cloud of menace.

2004 Independent 28 July 7/2 While there were undoubtedly many in the energised convention hall wishing they could turn back the clock, Mr Clinton urged that they look to the future.

(i) look what you've done! (and variants): used to rebuke or chide someone immediately after he or she has done something considered to be wrong, foolish, or inconsiderate.

ΚΠ

1795 J. Haslewood Secret Hist. Green-room (new ed.) I. 56 ‘O you rude man, look what you have done’, said the lady!

1835 J. H. Sealy Facts & Fictions viii. 181 ‘Why, Willie, man!’ said Jenny at length, losing all patience; ‘look what you have done!’

1882 Sheffield & Rotherham Independent 15 July Suppl. 16/5 You ought to be ashamed of yourself! Look what you've done!

1900 E. W. Hornung Peccavi (1901) xix. 222 ‘Look what you've gone and done’, said Busby, reproachfully, displaying the yolk in the cup.

1986 A. Price For Good of State ii. i. 24 ‘Look what you've done to me!’ She surveyed herself. ‘Christ!’

2002 R. Murphy Kick (2003) 50 Look what you've done, boys! The bogwood is entirely lost. You'll be lucky if we can hold the fire at the canal and save the house.

(j) to look the other way: to pretend not to see or notice; spec. to deliberately ignore wrongdoing by others.

ΚΠ

1821 H. M. Jones Gretna Green vii. 102 She instantly turned her head, and pertinaciously persisted in looking the other way.

1879 Rose-Belford's Canad. Monthly Nov. 458/2 An optimism..which got rid of the perplexities suggested by the want and wretchedness of the lower classes..by steadily looking the other way, and passing it by on the other side.

1919 ‘K. Mansfield’ Let. 28 Oct. (1993) III. 56 Ill try my best..to look the other way when you hang over precipices and lean out of trains & dangle out of boats.

1969 M. H. Wolf Vermont is always with You 46 They thrashed and squirmed while I manfully struggled to hold each one by the hind legs and ladyfully looked the other way.

1986 S. Penman Here be Dragons (1991) (U.K. ed.) ii. x. 711 How many unhappy husbands have suspected you of cuckolding them and yet looked the other way?

2008 N.Y. Rev. Bks. 20 Mar. 28/2 In the buildup to today's mortgage market mess, numerous potentially helpful government agencies..either dropped the ball or looked the other way.

(k) don't look now (but): (prefacing a remark) originally used to get the hearer's attention, while warning against an immediate glance or reaction; (in later use also (chiefly humorous)) used to introduce a statement or topic considered to be exciting, challenging, or unexpected.

ΚΠ

1871 Temple Bar July 71 ‘Look now,’ he went on. ‘No, not now, they may notice... There they are; by that far window.’... As Tom said, ‘Don't look now’, of course I looked directly.

1886 Puck (N.Y.) 29 Dec. 295 Don't look now, but Jack Meredith is directly across the hall from us.

1919 L. P. Heydemann Lily Carthew's Monologues 65 Don't look now. She knows we're talking about her.

1936 Miami (Okla.) Daily News-Record 3 June 5/8 Don't look now but I think ‘Gob’ Taylor is trying to steal home.

1968 Globe & Mail (Toronto) 28 June 23/8 Don't look now, but I'm afraid my credibility gap was showing a bit in a column I wrote the other day.

1998 A. Pease & B. Pease Why Men don't listen & Women can't read Maps (2004) ii. 19 ‘Don't look now!’ she hissed. ‘You're so obvious!’

2014 Daily News (N.Y.) (Nexis) 3 July (Sports section) 70 Don't look now, but there's a seven-time Wimbledon champion who is two victories away from making it eight.

(l) transitive. colloquial (originally U.S.). look who's here: used to express surprise, pleasure, annoyance, etc., at the arrival of a person.

ΚΠ

1905 Sun (Baltimore) 28 Nov. 1/1 (advt.) Next week will be a strenuous one, for ‘look who's here’. Geo. M. Cohan, the kid that's all the candy.

1949 N. Marsh Swing, Brother, Swing iii. 48 ‘Well, well, well,’ he said. ‘Look who's here.’

1982 W. E. B. Griffin Lieutenants 216 ‘Well, look who's here,’ he said, softly, as much to himself as to Sharon when he stepped inside the door.

2003 D. Denisoff Winter Gardeners 125 Oh Jem, look who's here. Reg and John. What a pleasant surprise.

(m) (originally North American) look (ma, mom, etc.), no hands: (a) used as a boastful cry (originally and typically by a child to a parent or other adult) seeking attention or admiration for performing a difficult or complicated activity (often cycling) hands-free; (b) attributive designating something showy or ostentatious.In quot. 1937 shouted by a little girl as she slides down a banister.

ΚΠ

1937 E. Bushmiller Fritzi Ritz in Berkeley (Calif.) Daily Gaz. 7 Apr. 17/1 (cartoon caption) Yippee! Look Aunt Fritzi—no hands!!

1942 Mason City (Iowa) Globe-Gaz. 6 Oct. 12/2 As he blithely rode by the house with both hands above his head he proudly yelled to his dear mother at the window: ‘Look, ma, no hands.’

1949 Life 20 June 34/1 The most buoyant of the second-generation Roosevelts happily floated with a ‘look, no hands’ gesture in Dead Sea.

1962 Mass. Audubon 47 40/1 If I could be a bird, I'd be a chimney swift, they have..so much fun... A sort of ‘look Ma no hands’ bravura.

2002 Time 7 Oct. 107/2 (advt.) In the car headsets that can survive the rigors of everyday life... All so you can brag, ‘Look Mom, no hands!’ as you drive and talk on your phone.

2009 Irish Times (Nexis) 27 Nov. (‘The Ticket’ Suppl.) 15 This is a look ma, no hands collection: improvisational in tone and experimental in mood.

(n) to look alive: see alive adj. Phrases 5. to look lively: see lively adj. and n. Phrases. to look down one's nose: see nose n. Phrases 1c(b). to look sharp: see sharp adv. Phrases. to look smart: see smart adj. Phrases 1.

P2. In phrases relating to appearance (cf. branch II.).

a. to look like.

(a) To have the appearance of being, to seem to be; to resemble in appearance.to look like a million dollars: see million adj. 5.

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > thing seen > appearance or aspect > have (specific) appearance [verb (transitive)]

beareOE

to look likec1390

showa1425

fantasy?1611

weara1616

strikea1701

to make likea1881

the world > relative properties > relationship > similarity > render similar to [verb (transitive)] > be like, resemble, or take after

to bear a resemblance toa1225

semblec1330

resemble1340

to look likec1390

representa1398

belikec1475

assemble1483

express1483

to take after ——1553

figure1567

assimilate1578

besib1596

imitate1601

resemblance1603

respect1604

favour1609

image1726

mirror1820

facsimile1839

turn after ——1848

picture1850

c1390 (a1376) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Vernon) (1867) A. vii. l. 164 Hongur..Buffetede þe [brutiner] aboute boþe his chekes; He lokede lyk a Lanterne al his lyf After.

a1450 York Plays (1885) 281 (MED) He lokis like a lambe.

1533 T. More Debellacyon Salem & Bizance ii. xvi. f. lxxxv^v A periured wytnesse, that wyll loke lyke a lambe, and saye contrarye to that he hathe deposed before.

1581 J. Studley tr. Seneca Hippolytus iv, in T. Newton et al. tr. Seneca 10 Trag. f. 67 Lyke lusty young Perithous he looketh in the face.

1629 J. Earle Micro-cosmogr. (ed. 5) xxxiv. sig. G4^v One that lookes like a proud man, but is not.

1662 E. Stillingfleet Origines Sacræ ii. v. §3 There is some thing looks very like this in the proceedings of the people of Israel against the Prophet Jeremiah.

1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 50. ¶8 The Women look like Angels.

a1715 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Own Time (1724) I. 606 He had a humour in his leg, which looked like the beginning of the gout.

1773 O. Goldsmith She stoops to Conquer ii. 46 My dear squire, this looks like a lad of spirit.

1846 Columbian Mag. Sept. 100/1 Don't you think he looks like you, Frank?

1861 M. Pattison in Westm. Rev. Apr. 410 The payment in kind, and not in money, looks like a customary acknowledgment from an old-established guild.

1884 W. C. Smith Kildrostan 43 She..looked like a monument planted there.

1919 Bessemer Monthly (Grove City, Pa.) Sept. 11/2 ‘You look like an idiot!’ said a disgusted father to his son.

1970 N. Marsh When in Rome v. 127 ‘Wouldn't it be a yell if..you were The Man?’ ‘Do I look like it?’

2011 T. Ronald Becoming Nancy (2012) xix. 258 Miss Jibbs..looks like a coke fiend to me.

(b) With gerund, verbal noun, or noun: to give promise or indication of, show a likelihood of.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > probability, likelihood > be or seem likely [verb (intransitive)]

appeara1530

to have some show1556

think1579

to look like1594

to put fairc1595

had liked to1600

to show for ——1776

fare1850

show1901

1594 W. Shakespeare Lucrece sig. E3 Thou look'st not like deceipt, do not deceiue me.

1694 Bp. G. Burnet Four Disc. iii. 73 This Exposition has a fair appearance, and looks like being true.

1747 Gentleman's Mag. Aug. 383/1 Parties may be abolish'd, but the late dissolution of the parliament don't look much like it.

1868 E. Yates Rock Ahead II. ii. viii. 245 Wooded uplands suggested good cover-shooting; broad expanse of heath looked very like rabbits.

1883 J. W. Sherer At Home & in India 158 Later on, indeed, after supper, he grew worse—looked like biting—and..tore the bouquet in pieces.

1888 H. F. Lester Hartas Maturin II. ii. 34 It looks like rain.

1923 Humorist 1 Sept. 141/2 (caption) Looks like being a 'ot day. Blinking good job I put me straw 'at on!

1973 A. Broinowski Take One Ambassador ii. 21 I look like being in and out of the office a lot in the next few days.

2012 Independent 27 June 21/1 If the eurozone really looks like breaking up,..then the poor old German taxpayers will be made to stump up.

(c) colloquial. (it) looks like.

(i) Chiefly followed by it: it appears to be the case; it seems likely.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > probability, likelihood > be likely [phrase]

as (it) is likely1395

it is likely1395

it is odds (that, but)1589

(the) odds are1697

looks like?1746

?1746 T. Sheridan Brave Irishman i. ii. 11 Capt. May be he has a mind to put the Front upon me. Cheat. It looks like it, very like it, Captain.

1825 ‘E. Hardcastle’ 29th May II. vi. 82 ‘This I suppose is the last act of..the glorious sixteen hundred and sixty.’ ‘By the Lord, as you say, Master D'Urfey, it looks like it.’

1892 A. Conan Doyle Adventures Sherlock Holmes (U.S. ed.) x. 320 ‘You have been reading the papers diligently of late, have you not?’ ‘It looks like it,’ said I, ruefully.

1910 W. M. Raine Bucky O'Connor 55 Your cook, Anderson, kid-napped the child, looks like to me.

1972 G. Bromley In Absence of Body viii. 101 ‘And now I suppose you've got to find a replacement?’ ‘Looks like it.’

2004 N. Redfern Three Men seeking Monsters xv. 232 ‘You mean I have to go trudging through another bloody wood?’ ‘It certainly looks like it, mate.’

(ii) Originally U.S. With following clause: it appears as though, seems likely that (something is the case).

ΚΠ

1866 Detroit Free Press 31 Jan. It looks like they are really humbugging the poor darkey.

1890 Atlanta Constit. 18 June 1/6 The republican leaders have taken the bit in their teeth and it looks like they are going to run right square into a warmer country before they can be checked.

1936 M. Mitchell Gone with the Wind i. i. 11 Don't it look to you like she would of asked us to stay for supper?

1973 Guardian 31 Jan. 4/7 Looks like your child's birthday is news again this year.

2012 T. Wolfe Back to Blood xviii. 598 He had his arms stretched out. It looked like he was about to embrace them both in a Russian bear hug.

b. to look as if (also though).

(a) With following clause. To suggest by appearance that something is the case. Formerly also †to look as.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > relationship > similarity > render similar to [verb (transitive)] > look as if or appear to be

to look as ifc1400

c1400 (?a1300) Kyng Alisaunder (Laud) (1952) l. 1092 (MED) Jn herte he gynneþ fecche mood And lokeþ as he were wood.

a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 233 He leuket as he culd lern tham a.

1590 C. Marlowe Tamburlaine: 2nd Pt. sig. G8^v The houses burnt, wil looke as if they mourn'd.

1611 B. Jonson Catiline iv. sig. L3 Looke they, as they were built to shake the world?

1656 New Case put to Old Lawyer 7 Three or four..decayed followers, who looked as though they had been Prison-powder'd.

1700 J. Dryden Flower & Leaf in Fables 385 I took the way, Which through a Path, but scarcely printed, lay;..And look'd, as lightly press'd, by Fairy Feet.

1789 Walker's Hibernian Mag. Jan. 44/2 His blood vessels looked as though they would burst with plenitude.

1809 B. H. Malkin tr. A. R. Le Sage Adventures Gil Blas II. v. i. 279 Pedro was dumb-founded, and looked as if he could not help it.

1898 F. Montgomery Tony i. 9 She looked as if she were thoroughly bored.

1939 W. S. Maugham Christmas Holiday iii. 78 With his hair all tousled he looks as if he was sixteen.

1982 ‘L. Cody’ Bad Company x. 64 She looked as if she was enjoying herself.

2012 S. Townsend Woman who went to Bed for Year i. 2 A Clara Bow mouth that always looked as though she were about to speak.

(b) With indefinite subject and following clause, as it looks (or things look) as if, etc.: it appears as though, seems likely that (something is the case).

ΚΠ

1655 Bp. J. Taylor Vnum Necessarium Ep. Ded. A5 It looks as if men had no designe in the world, but to be suffered to die quietly.

1700 T. Brown Amusem. Serious & Comical ix. 91 It looks as if Physicians learnt their Gibberish for no other purpose, than to embroil what they do not understand.

1790 E. Burke Refl. Revol. in France 11 It looks to me as if I were in a great crisis.

1830 S. E. Dwight Life President Edwards xxvii. 523 It looked as though the great struggle was over.

1892 St. Nicholas Mag. 14 538/1 It looked as if there was going to be a free fight.

1927 Rattle of Theta Chi Jan. 66/2 With the coming of track and basketball next quarter things look as if we would have a new number a little nearer the top.

1955 E. Hillary High Adventure vi. 102 Now it looked as though they might have done it.

2004 Daily Tel. 1 Apr. 28/5 After five years in the job, it looked as if he would lose out on another key promotion.

c. to look oneself: to appear one's usual self, esp. in respect of health.

ΘΚΠ

the world > health and disease > be in state of health [verb (intransitive)] > be in usual health

to live and lookc1390

to be myselfa1675

to feel (quite) oneself1812

to look oneself1822

to feel (quite) like oneself1838

to feel (like) myself1886

1822 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. July 79 How your brow it up-brightens—You now look yourself, man, and not a la Werter.

1853 C. Dickens Bleak House xxxiv. 334 But what's the matter, George?.. You don't look yourself.

1908 H. Forrester Rupert Brett xxiii. 247 ‘You will take Rupert out for some fresh air and a change. He wants it badly.’ ‘I agree with you, he doesn't look himself.’

1940 Atlanta Constit. 16 July 6/2 Horace..simply didn't look himself. He was not the rather florid-faced, rotund Horace Renegar I had seen only a few short months before.

2012 M. Perry Danger in Plain Sight ii. 39 Today she looked herself again, wearing jeans and an oversize Penn State sweatshirt.

d. to look one's age: to have the appearance of being as old as one really is.

ΘΚΠ

the world > life > source or principle of life > age > [verb (intransitive)] > look age

to look one's age1825

1825 Oxberry's Dramatic Biogr. III. 241 Mrs. Harlowe is about the middle size, and certainly does not look her age.

1891 H. W. Wolff Country of Vosges iv. 72 Plain sandstone shafts, with quite old-fashioned imposts—they unmistakeably look their age.

1921 J. F. Herbin Jen of Marshes vi. 50 Do I look my age, or younger, or older?

1944 A. Thirkell Headmistress ix. 200 A very handsome afternoon dress..but, as the dressmaker said, almost with tears, making moddom look her age.

2002 M. McGrath Silvertown (2003) xix. 190 To say she looks her age—forty-seven—isn't really helpful.

e. Chiefly British. to look the sort (also type, kind): to give the appearance of belonging to a particular group or category or of being likely to behave in a certain way.Frequently in negative constructions.

ΚΠ

1834 Metrop. Mag. Mar. 334 I doubt whether I altogether look the kind of simple purse-bearing lad that a Rutlandshire squire, with a friend in hell, would select from a seat in the park, for his operations.

1897 J. K. Jerome Sketches in Lavender, Blue, & Green 306 She was a charming, cheerful little woman, but did not look the type that would let him forget all about it.

1945 D. Wheatley Man who missed War vi. 62 Do I look the kind of dumb-cluck who would be wastin' her time joy-ridin' in this boat instead of gettin' her a liner?

1986 Washington Post (Nexis) 30 May (Style section) c1 I didn't capture any [oysters], but they looked the type that would have pearls.

2014 Times Mag. (Nexis) 22 Mar. 71 It didn't look the sort of place where the food would be much good.

P3. In various phrases used attributively or as nouns.

a. With adverbs.

(a) Forming nouns and adjectives corresponding to phrasal verbs, as look-around, look-back, look-forward, look-on. Cf. lookahead n., lookdown n., lookout n., look-over n., lookup n. [In some combinations probably also influenced by look n.] Now more likely to be interpreted as look n. followed by an adverb; cf. look n. 1a.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > enquiry > investigation, inspection > [noun] > instance of

inquisitionc1440

investigation1533

sight1592

review1611

percontation1623

evestigation1658

inquirendoa1846

shakedown1914

look-around1967

nosy1990

1597 T. Middleton Wisdome of Solomon Paraphr. xii. sig. P2 Thou ordrest euery thing with looke-on sight.

1850 N. Hawthorne Scarlet Let. Introd. 48 A dreary look-forward this, for a man who [etc.].

1908 Westm. Gaz. 27 Apr. 9/3 I do not think that a calm look-back over the contest..gives any ground for hopelessness as to the future.

1967 M. McLuhan & Q. Fiore Medium is Massage 10 ‘The Medium is The Massage’ is a look-around to see what's happening.

(b)

look-on net n. Fishing (now rare) a net pulled up as a test of the condition of others.

ΘΚΠ

the world > food and drink > hunting > fishing > fishing-tackle > net > [noun] > test net

look-on net1874

1874 E. W. H. Holdsworth Deep-sea Fishing ii. 109 Whilst the drift-nets are in the water the warp is occasionally hauled in till the first net is reached; this is called the ‘look on’ net, and by examining it some idea may generally be formed of whether many herrings are about.

1905 Cornhill Mag. Nov. 677 With the clank of the capstan and the snorting of the donkey-engine the swing rope came in, and the look-on net was drawn to the side.

look-through n. †(a) a sight on a weapon (obsolete rare); (b) Papermaking the appearance of a sheet of paper when held to the light.

ΘΚΠ

society > occupation and work > materials > derived or manufactured material > material for making paper > paper > [adjective] > having specific surface or texture

look-through1730

antique1826

surfaced1869

fibre-faceda1884

everdamp1888

surface coated1888

boardy1893

shivey1937

1730 N. Bailey et al. Dict. Britannicum Embater, the hole or look-through to take aim with a cross-bow.

1904 Paper Makers' Monthly Jrnl. Dec. 411/2 Two sheets of each kind were examined, all the sheets being of faultless look through and uniform surface.

1989 Designer's Guide to Paper & Board Oct. 46/1 The manner in which fibres are distributed in paper..can be seen when examined with transmitted light (the look-through).

2013 T. Fritz & S. Nekkache in J. A. Siegel et al. Encycl. Forensic Sci. (ed. 2) 383/2 A look-through examination can lead to the observation of a strong security feature, namely the ‘watermark’.

b. In other constructions.

look and say adj. designating a method of teaching reading by identifying each word as a whole, rather than by associating individual letters with particular sounds; of or relating to this method.

ΘΚΠ

society > communication > reading > [adjective] > method of teaching reading

look and say1842

phonomimic1884

1842 Independent Mag. 13 He teaches according to the ‘look and say’ method explained in the next article.

1964 M. Critchley Developmental Dyslexia iv. 16 Many have blamed the analytic, look-and-say, ‘flash’ or global systems of teaching—whereby the child learns to identify each word as a whole.

2014 Independent on Sunday (Nexis) 5 Oct. 18 Some children will learn more with phonics; some with look-and-say flashcards.

† look-like-a-goose n. Obsolete a foolish or stupid person; cf. goose n. 1f.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > lack of understanding > stupid, foolish, or inadequate person > stupid person, dolt, blockhead > [noun]

asseOE

sotc1000

beastc1225

long-ear?a1300

stock1303

buzzard1377

mis-feelinga1382

dasarta1400

stonea1400

dasiberd14..

dottlec1400

doddypoll1401

dastardc1440

dotterel1440

dullardc1440

wantwit1449

jobardc1475

nollc1475

assheada1500

mulea1500

dull-pate15..

peak1509

dulbert?a1513

doddy-patec1525

noddypolla1529

hammer-head1532

dull-head?1534

capon1542

dolt1543

blockhead1549

cod's head1549

mome1550

grout-head1551

gander1553

skit-brains?1553

blocka1556

calfa1556

tomfool1565

dunce1567

druggard1569

cobble1570

dummel1570

Essex calf1573

jolthead1573

hardhead1576

beetle-head1577

dor-head1577

groutnoll1578

grosshead1580

thickskin1582

noddyship?1589

jobbernowl1592

beetle-brain1593

Dorbel1593

oatmeal-groat1594

loggerhead1595

block-pate1598

cittern-head1598

noddypoop1598

dorbellist1599

numps1599

dor1601

stump1602

ram-head1605

look-like-a-goose1606

ruff1606

clod1607

turf1607

asinego1609

clot-poll1609

doddiea1611

druggle1611

duncecomb1612

ox-head1613

clod-polla1616

dulman1615

jolterhead1620

bullhead1624

dunderwhelpa1625

dunderhead1630

macaroona1631

clod-patea1635

clota1637

dildo1638

clot-pate1640

stupid1640

clod-head1644

stub1644

simpletonian1652

bottle-head1654

Bœotiana1657

vappe1657

lackwit1668

cudden1673

plant-animal1673

dolt-head1679

cabbage head1682

put1688

a piece of wood1691

ouphe1694

dunderpate1697

numbskull1697

leather-head1699

nocky1699

Tom Cony1699

mopus1700

bluff-head1703

clod skull1707

dunny1709

dowf1722

stupe1722

gamphrel1729

gobbin?1746

duncehead1749

half-wit1755

thick-skull1755

jackass1756

woollen-head1756

numbhead1757

beef-head1775

granny1776

stupid-head1792

stunpolla1794

timber-head1794

wether heada1796

dummy1796

noghead1800

staumrel1802

muttonhead1803

num1807

dummkopf1809

tumphya1813

cod's head and shoulders1820

stoopid1823

thick-head1824

gype1825

stob1825

stookiea1828

woodenhead1831

ning-nong1832

log-head1834

fat-head1835

dunderheadism1836

turnip1837

mudhead1838

donkey1840

stupex1843

cabbage1844

morepork1845

lubber-head1847

slowpoke1847

stupiditarian1850

pudding-head1851

cod's head and shoulders1852

putty head1853

moke1855

mullet-head1855

pothead1855

mug1857

thick1857

boodle1862

meathead1863

missing link1863

half-baked1866

lunk1867

turnip-head1869

rummy1872

pumpkin-head1876

tattie1879

chump1883

dully1883

cretin1884

lunkhead1884

mopstick1886

dumbhead1887

peanut head1891

pie-face1891

doughbakea1895

butt-head1896

pinhead1896

cheesehead1900

nyamps1900

box head1902

bonehead1903

chickenhead1903

thickwit1904

cluck1906

boob1907

John1908

mooch1910

nitwit1910

dikkop1913

goop1914

goofus1916

rumdum1916

bone dome1917

moron1917

oik1917

jabroni1919

dumb-bell1920

knob1920

goon1921

dimwit1922

ivory dome1923

stone jug1923

dingleberry1924

gimp1924

bird brain1926

jughead1926

cloth-head1927

dumb1928

gazook1928

mouldwarp1928

ding-dong1929

stupido1929

mook1930

sparrow-brain1930

knobhead1931

dip1932

drip1932

epsilon1932

bohunkus1933

Nimrod1933

dumbass1934

zombie1936

pea-brain1938

knot-head1940

schlump1941

jarhead1942

Joe Soap1943

knuckle-head1944

nong1944

lame-brain1945

gobshite1946

rock-head1947

potato head1948

jerko1949

turkey1951

momo1953

poop-head1955

a right one1958

bam1959

nong-nong1959

dickhead1960

dumbo1960

Herbert1960

lamer1961

bampot1962

dipshit1963

bamstick1965

doofus1965

dick1966

pillock1967

zipperhead1967

dipstick1968

thickie1968

poephol1969

yo-yo1970

doof1971

cockhead1972

nully1973

thicko1976

wazzock1976

motorhead1979

mouth-breather1979

no-brainer1979

jerkwad1980

woodentop1981

dickwad1983

dough ball1983

dickweed1984

bawheid1985

numpty1985

jerkweed1988

dick-sucker1989

knob-end1989

Muppet1989

dingus1997

dicksack1999

eight ball-

1606 T. Heywood 2nd Pt. If you know not Me sig. G2^v Hob. Is there not one Iack Gresha here? Wench No goodman looke like a Goose, but ther's one M. Iohn Gresham.

1624 R. Montagu Gagg for New Gospell? xliii. 300 He hath the figure of a man as Will Summer had, though he be indeed as very a Look-like-agoose as he was.

Phrasal verbs

PV1. With adverbs in specialized senses. to look about

1. intransitive. To direct one's sight in various directions in succession; to survey one's surroundings; to look here and there, let one's eyes wander. Occasionally: to do this while walking or moving around a place, in order to view or explore interesting features. Formerly also: †to be vigilant, to be on the lookout (obsolete). Cf. to look about one at Phrasal verbs 2.

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (intransitive)] > look around

to look abouta1200

to look round?1505

to look around1600

skim1817

rubber1896

the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > vigilance > be vigilant or on one's guard [verb (intransitive)]

watcha1225

warea1325

bewarea1400

keepc1400

waitc1400

lay good waitc1440

to lie in great waitc1440

to look out?1553

to look about1599

awake1602

advigilate1623

to keep an eye open1651

perdue1656

to look sharp1680

waken1682

tout1699

to keep a sharp look-out1827

to keep one's weather-eye open1829

to keep (also have) an eye out1833

to keep one's eyes peeled1844

to watch out1845

to skin one's eyes1851

to have (also keep) one's eye on the ball1937

to watch one's back1949

a1200 MS Trin. Cambr. in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1873) 2nd Ser. 173 (MED) Þo wreches..lokeð up and dun and al abuten, and sen buuen hem godes wraððe.

c1300 (?c1225) King Horn (Laud) (1901) l. 1122 He loked al aboute [Cambr. lokede him abute, a1350 Harl. lokede aboute] Mid hys kelwe snowte.

c1330 Otuel (Auch.) (1882) l. 1048 (MED) He lokede a-bouten in eche side.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 11744 As þei to gider talkyng were þei loked aboute fer & nere.

1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) xix. 669 The fox..Lukit about sum hoill to se.

1490 W. Caxton tr. Foure Sonnes of Aymon (1885) xx. 445 And whan rowlande was come out of the cave, he loked about for to know where they were.

c1500 (?a1475) Assembly of Gods (1896) l. 347 She loked euer about as though she had be mad.

1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 613/2 I loke aboute, as one dothe that taketh the vewe of a place or contray.

1599 W. Shakespeare Romeo & Juliet iii. v. 40 The day is broke, be wary, looke about .

a1616 W. Shakespeare Tempest (1623) i. ii. l. 480 What is't a Spirit? Lord, how it lookes about .

1720 D. Defoe Mem. Cavalier 164 'Twas time to look about.

1801 W. Beattie Fruits Time Parings 40 He'll gang forth and look about, An' raise the lads, ye needno' dout, To yoke them to the flail.

1881 Daily Tel. 5 July 2/1 These crank and nimble spinners [i.e. racing yachts] give you no chance of looking about.

1904 Oakland (Calif.) Tribune 22 Nov. 9/4 Billy Lavigne, the Seattle boxing promoter, who manages the affairs of Tommy Burns, went to Portland over a week ago to look about.

1958 L. Uris Exodus i. i. 9 The taxi pulled to a stop. The bellboy gathered in Mark's luggage. Mark paid off his driver and looked about.

2004 D. Peace GB 84 452/2 I look about and see Big Chris with his handkerchief out.

2. intransitive. With for, †after. To look in various directions or places in search of; to be in search of.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > endeavour > searching or seeking > search for or seek [verb (transitive)] > search about for

to search out?a1400

to look about1536

to feel after ——?1557

study1561

to feel for ——1569

to look out for1578

to lay out1624

to look round1630

to lay about1755

prospect1854

roust1870

to look around1927

1536 tr. G. Gnapheus Myrrour for Syke sig. kii^v I loke aboute for the flesshe pottes of Egypte, wherupon I was wont to sytte.

1566 W. Adlington tr. Apuleius .XI. Bks. Golden Asse xxx. f. 75^v The Shepherdes (looking about for a cowe that they had lost).

1613 T. Potts Wonderfull Discov. Witches sig. Y2^v Looke about for her, and lay hold on her, for shee is in the house.

1678 T. Smith Remarks Manners of Turks 186 He..looks about for water.

1704 J. Norris Ess. Ideal World II. x. 395 Like the Man who..looks about after the Candle which he has all the while on his own Head.

1750 Student 1 No. 9. 323 The fidler..soon after enter'd..and then every man look'd about for his partner.

1840 Merchants' Mag. Oct. 306 Men begin to look about for the causes of a change which produces so disastrous an influence upon their fortunes.

1866 ‘G. Eliot’ Let. 10 Aug. (1956) IV. 298 We looked about for the very Portuguese Synagogue where Spinoza was nearly assassinated.

1921 Boys' Life Aug. 31/3 Looking about for something to rekindle his pipe.

1951 H. Wouk Caine Mutiny (1952) v. xxx. 362 His heart was that of a frightened rabbit, looking about for succor with wide shining eyes.

2002 A. Haslett You are not Stranger Here? (2003) 150 They wandered into the barn looking about for something to do.

† to look again

Obsolete.

intransitive. To turn and look behind one, or in the direction from which one has travelled; = to look back 2 at Phrasal verbs 1. Also figurative.

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (intransitive)] > look back

to look againwardc1225

to look backwardc1405

to look backwardsc1429

to look again?c1430

to look back1533

?c1430 (c1400) Rule St. Francis (Corpus Cambr.) in F. D. Matthew Eng. Wks. Wyclif (1880) 41 (MED) No man sendynge his hond to þe plowȝ and lokenge a-ȝen is able to þe kyngdom of god.

c1475 (?c1400) Apol. Lollard Doctr. (1842) 105 (MED) Þe wif of Loth..loking aȝen, was turnid in to an image of salt.

† to look againward

Obsolete.

intransitive. = to look again at Phrasal verbs 1.

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (intransitive)] > look back

to look againwardc1225

to look backwardc1405

to look backwardsc1429

to look again?c1430

to look back1533

c1225 (?c1200) St. Katherine (Royal) (1981) 1073 Heo as me ledde hire lokede aȝeinward for þe ludinge þet ha iherde.

a1400 (?a1325) Medit. on Supper of our Lord (Harl.) (1875) 1046 (MED) Oftyn aȝenward marye gan loke.

to look ahead

1. intransitive. To look in front of one, or in the direction to which one is travelling. Frequently with preposition of direction (e.g. at, to) and the specified object of one's gaze.

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (intransitive)] > look in specific direction

to look toward ——c1225

to look towards ——1534

respect1555

to look ahead1805

1805 P. Gass Jrnl. 5 Oct. (1807) 145 We had four large ones [sc. canoes]; and one small one, to look ahead.

1869 R. D. Blackmore Lorna Doone II. iii. 38 He..looked ahead of him, from behind a tump of whortles.

1902 J. Conrad Heart of Darkness iii, in Youth 167 The long reaches that were like one and the same reach..slipped past the steamer... I looked ahead—piloting.

1985 G. C. Gill tr. L. Irigaray Speculum Other Woman 245 Paralyzed.., they are condemned to look ahead at the wall opposite.

2008 W. Berry in L. Merrill Pedestrian Photographs 8/2 They could almost be performing an allemande in a square dance, looking ahead in opposite directions to their next partners.

2. intransitive. To anticipate, consider, or plan for the future. Frequently with preposition (chiefly to): to await, consider or plan for a particular future event.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > thought > continued thinking, reflection, contemplation > thinking about, consideration, deliberation > think about, consider [verb (intransitive)] > beforehand

precogitate1569

forethink1587

preponderate1599

to look ahead1820

1820 Daily National Intelligencer (Washington) 25 May That ambition must be short-sighted, indeed, which did not look ahead beyond two, or even six, years.

1895 H. Garland Rose of Dutcher's Coolly (1896) xxi. 315 You've got to look ahead to the time when she regrets the lack of husband and children.

1914 Observer 16 Aug. 4/2 If he is setting to work..to create a greater ‘New Model’..it is because he looks ahead.

1941 Bull. Amer. Assoc. Petroleum Geologists 25 1256 Past successes enable us now to look ahead to a difficult but orderly exploration program.

1988 Weekly World News 26 Jan. 44/1 This may be the week to look ahead and set goals for the new year.

2011 N.Y. Rev. Bks. 13 Jan. 64/3 Schuster and Finkelstein..seem to be looking ahead to what is essentially a post-tenure academic world dominated by the contingent academic workforce.

to look around

Cf. to look round at Phrasal verbs 1.

1. intransitive. To look around oneself in various directions; to survey one's surroundings; to do this while walking or moving around a place, in order to view or explore interesting features. Also: to turn one's head in order to look in another direction. Also figurative.

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (intransitive)] > look around

to look abouta1200

to look round?1505

to look around1600

skim1817

rubber1896

the mind > mental capacity > thought > continued thinking, reflection, contemplation > thinking about, consideration, deliberation > think about, consider [verb (intransitive)] > comprehensively

to look around1847

1600 E. Fairfax tr. T. Tasso Godfrey of Bulloigne xx. lxxxvii. 380 He lookt around [It. drizza gli occhi] to spie,..The man, whose stroake had laid him in that place.

1697 J. Tutchin Search after Honesty 8 He looks around, and stands amaz'd to see The Costly Splendid Luxury of the Sea.

1754 A. Murphy Gray's Inn Jrnl. No. 93 He looked around, and saw a reverend Form advance towards him.

1791 A. Radcliffe Romance of Forest I. v. 183 Louis looked around in search of La Motte.

1847 L. H. Kerr tr. L. von Ranke Hist. Servia 239 When the Servians now looked around, they congratulated themselves on having made a successful campaign.

1880 N. Smyth Old Faiths in New Light (1882) ii. 32 We look around sceptical of our own impressions.

1911 Secret Service 10 Mar. 25/1 Alice was looking around, but the red curtain hid the secret panel.

1964 L. B. Honwana in R. Rive Mod. Afr. Prose 103 Chewing slowly, she looked around, and from time to time, with a careless gesture, she shooed away the fowls who came close to her hoping for crumbs.

2008 M. J. Varhola Ghosthunting Virginia xxvii. 221 Our waitress..appeared while we were looking around.

2. intransitive. To seek or search (for something); to examine or consider a situation with a view to taking some action, deciding on a course, etc.; to explore all possibilities.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > enquiry > investigation, inspection > close examination, scrutiny > examine closely [verb (intransitive)] > explore all possibilities

to look round1630

to look around1737

the world > action or operation > endeavour > searching or seeking > search for or seek [verb (transitive)] > search about for

to search out?a1400

to look about1536

to feel after ——?1557

study1561

to feel for ——1569

to look out for1578

to lay out1624

to look round1630

to lay about1755

prospect1854

roust1870

to look around1927

1737 R. Glover Leonidas i. 10 The mind, which knows..That wanting liberty ev'n virtue mourns, And looks around for happiness in vain.

1791 Lady's Mag. Dec. 629/2 The young adventurer looking around for a way into the vale.

1814 W. Scott Waverley I. xviii. 264 Waverley looked around for Evan Dhu and his attendants, who, he rightly judged, would be at no great distance.

1883 ‘M. Twain’ Life on Mississippi xliii. 437 I'll look around a little, and if I find I can't do better I'll come back and take it.

1927 H. Crane Let. 14 Mar. (1965) 290 I'm looking around for some sort of ‘avocation’.

1974 ‘M. Innes’ Appleby's Other Story x. 81 Upper servants are frequently left in residence as caretakers... If it happens at Elvedon, it will give you time to look around.

2005 T. Umrigar Space between Us (2007) xii. 134 She looks around for a food vendor.

to look aside

intransitive. To look obliquely or to the side; to direct one's gaze away from something. Hence occasionally: to overlook or ignore something deliberately.

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (intransitive)] > look sideways

schule?c1225

to look asidec1230

bagge1369

gogglec1380

to look awryc1400

slizec1400

leer1530

to look askew1538

skew1570

gloat1576

to glance one's eye, look1590

squean1608

squinny1608

squint1610

sken1611

sleer1680

glime1684

skime1691

side-glance1799

the mind > attention and judgement > inattention > ignoring, disregard > ignore [verb (intransitive)]

overhipa1325

to hide one's facea1382

to look aside1530

to look beside ——1533

not to hear on that side1548

to look through the fingers1549

to pull away the shoulder1560

connive1602

to turn a (also the) blind eye1698

to bury (or hide) one's head in the sand1844

Nelson eye1893

not to want to know1948

c1230 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Corpus Cambr.) (1962) 102 Þe ealleofte hwelp is ifed wið supersticiuns..as..crenge wið swire, lokin o siden, bihalden on hokere.

a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) II. xviii. xlvi. 1197 Þe kyde haþ ful scharp sight and symple lokynge and lokeþ asyde. And knoweþ and secheþ his moder wiþ bletynge.

a1450 Partonope of Blois (Univ. Coll. Oxf.) (1912) l. 7094 (MED) He loked a-syde and dyd aspye Where stode an holow for-growen tre.

1508 W. Dunbar Goldyn Targe (Chepman & Myllar) in Poems (1998) I. 191 On syde scho lukit wyth ane fremyt fare.

1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 613/2 I loke asyde by chaunce, or caste myn eye asyde.

1596 W. Raleigh Let. 21 June (1999) 148 I retorned the blur of a trumpett and no more, never looking aside to these esteemed dreadfull beastes.

1628 G. Wither Britain's Remembrancer iii. f. 94 Scorne to looke aside, who looks thereon.

1672 J. Dryden Conquest Granada i. iv. ii. 51 Fear makes men look aside, and then their footing miss.

1720 J. Leigh Kensington-Gardens i. 14 Every moment to make your Observations on me, if I but look aside, for you to wink, and raise the Fellow's vanity, by imagining I love him.

1768 A. Young Six Weeks Tour Southern Counties vi. 138 You look aside through the opening, onto a landscape which seems formed by the happiest hand of design.

1848 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. Feb. 250/2 ‘I cannot—I will not deceive you, Adam,’ replied Mr Hylton, looking aside, and with a profound sigh.

1935 M. R. Anand Untouchable 55 Then he looked aside and seeing two white-clad, delicate young boys, greeted them by raising his right hand to his forehead.

1987 R. Hall Kisses of Enemy (1990) ii. xl. 230 He knew what it was to look aside at the critical moment and appear not to notice who nudged whom, not to hear insulting remarks.

2010 B. Cleverly Darker God xix. 172 She..smiled up admiringly into the inspector's face. He looked aside and fiddled with his coffee cup.

to look away

1. intransitive. To direct one's gaze away from someone or something; to avert one's eyes, esp. so as to overlook or ignore something deliberately (also figurative). Cf. to look the other way at Phrases 1b(j).

ΚΠ

a1225 (c1200) Vices & Virtues (1888) 47 (MED) Ac me þincþ ðat tu lokest aweiward & heuiliche latst.]

c1540 (?a1400) Gest Historiale Destr. Troy (2002) f. 133 Achilles..Woundit hym wickedly as he away loked.

1590 C. Marlowe Tamburlaine: 2nd Pt. sig. K7^v The vglie monster death..Who flies away at euery glance I giue, And when I look away, comes stealing on.

a1616 J. Smith Substance & Pith Prayer 139 in Essex Dove (1629) When he [sc. Peter] lookt away from Christ..by and by he began to sinke.

1673 W. Wycherley Gentleman Dancing-master ii. i. 24 Why do you look away, dearest Miss?

1782 F. Burney Cecilia IV. vii. iii. 37 ‘Oh go!’ cried Cecilia, looking away from him while she spoke.

1844 E. B. Barrett Drama of Exile in Poems I. 27 I..look away from Earth which doth convict me.

1872 C. D. Warner Saunterings 203 If I looked away an instant, some urchin would seize my horse's bridle.

1908 E. M. Forster Room with View xii. 202 ‘Gracious alive!’ cried Mrs. Honeychurch. ‘Whoever were those unfortunate people? Oh, dears, look away!’

1966 E. Amadi Concubine xxiii. 204 Wakiri looked away when he saw tears running down his friend's cheeks.

1986 W. E. B. Griffin Generals 256 Their eyes met. She fought the temptation to look away.

2014 Sydney Morning Herald (Nexis) 26 July (News Review section) 42 The killing and the dying goes on... And the rest of the world, not caring, looks away.

2. transitive. poetic. To spend or wear (something) out in gazing; to remove or forget with a look or a period of looking (cf. away adv. 3). Now rare.

ΚΠ

1659 W. Montagu Shepheard's Paradise v. 153 If I durst so soon believe my eyes, they had already looked away my pretence, but they are too partial to me to believe so soon.

1680 T. Otway Hist. Caius Marius ii. 21 I could hang for ever on thy Arms, And look away my life into thy Eyes.

1744 Norfolk Poet. Misc. I. 134 I'll gaze on thy Beauty—and look away Care.

1780 T. Chatterton Resignation in H. Croft Love & Madness 158 Omniscience could the danger see, And mercy look the cause away.

1831 Olio 10 Dec. 361/2 Those eyes which look away all human ill.

1865 A. B. Edwards Ballads 50 Pour my passion forth in sighs, And look my life away.

1955 E. Bishop Poems: North & South 65 Why couldn't we have seen this old Nativity..and looked and looked our infant sight away.

to look back

a. intransitive. To call to mind or recollect a past event; to reflect upon the past. Frequently with preposition of direction, esp. on.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > memory > retrospection, reminiscence > look back, retrospect [verb (intransitive)]

to look backward?c1450

to look back1529

to look backwards1598

recoila1616

retrospect1664

run1692

revert1820

reverie1832

to think back (on or to)1901

to job backwards1907

1529 T. More Dyaloge Dyuers Maters i. xxvi. f. xxxviii/2 Whan I loke bak agayne vppon holy scrypture, and consyder that yt ys goddys owne wordys.

a1556 Ld. Vaux in R. Edwards Paradyse Daynty Deuises (1576) 11 When I looke backe, and in my selfe beholde, The wandring wayes, that youth could not descry.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry V (1623) i. ii. 102 Gracious Lord..Looke back into your mightie Ancestors.

1649 R. Baxter Saints Everlasting Rest (new ed.) iv. v. 674 Is it not a very little time when thou lookest back on it?

1711 R. Steele Spectator No. 100. ⁋1 A Man advanced in Years that thinks fit to look back upon his former Life.

1794 A. Radcliffe Myst. of Udolpho IV. vi. 111 In future years, you will look back to this night with satisfaction or repentance.

1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. vii. 200 He would have looked back with remorse on a literary life of near thirty years.

1862 Southern Lit. Messenger Jan. 52/1 Looking back, I wonder how I bore it.

1892 Eng. Illustr. Mag. 9 331 One portion of my life is not pleasant to look back to.

1911 Amer. Mag. Mar. 592/2 He looked back at his life in this little town.

1921 Game Breeder Dec. 70/2 If one looks back twenty-five or thirty years the change in sentiment towards nature..is really extraordinary.

1955 V. Nabokov Let. 24 Nov. in Sel. Lett. (1989) 180 I look back at our cloudless association and it is painful to think that it will be different from now on.

2013 B. Bonner Paging Dead xx. 254 Looking back on it now, I should have known better.

†b. transitive. With interrogative clause as object. To call to mind, recollect. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > memory > retrospection, reminiscence > look back on [verb (transitive)]

refera1398

to look back1579

review1597

retrospect1664

retrace1686

to take back1796

reverie1961

1579 T. North tr. Plutarch Liues 69 The daungers & perills of this kingdom which they offer me, are not altogether vncertain, if we wil looke backe [Fr. considerer] what happened vnto Romulus.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Antony & Cleopatra (1623) iii. xi. 53 See How I conuey my shame, out of thine eyes, By looking backe what I haue left behinde Stroy'd in dishonor.

1700 J. M. tr. Dionysius Cato his Four Bks. Moral Precepts ii. 10 Look back what follows, and withal Forseee [sic] what stands in place.

1779 R. Hamilton Introd. Merchandize II. iv. ii. 64 When we receive payment of a bill, we must recollect or look back how it was entered when granted.

2. intransitive. To turn and look behind one, or in the direction from which one has travelled. Also with at, to, etc.

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (intransitive)] > look back

to look againwardc1225

to look backwardc1405

to look backwardsc1429

to look again?c1430

to look back1533

1533 tr. Erasmus Enchiridion Militis Christiani x. sig. f.vi Sodoma must be forsaken vtterly hastely yea & at ones: it is not lawfull to loke backe [L. respicere].

a1586 Sir P. Sidney Arcadia (1590) i. i. sig. B2 At yonder rising of the ground she turned her selfe, looking backe toward her woonted abode.

1597 Bp. J. King Lect. Ionas xxvi. 350 This was the difference betweene Iudas and Ionas. Iudas wente out, and never looked backe more.

1631 W. Lisle Faire Æthiopian i. 21 Still looking backe at her Theagenes.

1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost xii. 641 They looking back, all th' Eastern side beheld Of Paradise, so late thir happie seat.

1714 A. Pope Rape of Lock (new ed.) iii. 27 Thrice she look'd back, and thrice the Foe drew near.

1797 A. Radcliffe Italian II. i. 44 Often they looked back to the convent, expecting to see lights issue from the avenue.

1841 Sporting Rev. Aug. 117 The same dog..amused himself as he ran.., stopping frequently, as if pointing at game, roading it up, looking back to his master, [etc.].

1889 ‘M. Twain’ Connecticut Yankee xxvii. 261 They..turned in their saddles and looked back.

1939 C. Beaton Diary July in Self Portrait with Friends (1979) ix. 71 We looked back to the Palace, where tired and baffled officials clustered by the door.

a1979 B. D'J. Pancake Trilobites (1992) 104 As he crested the first knoll, he looked back to the hollow, where he knew Trudy was still sleeping.

2003 D. Bowler & D. Reynolds Ron Reynolds i. 5 All the players started tearing off down the other end of the field, but I looked back and saw the old man was really struggling.

3. intransitive. With to, †unto. To rely on a person for something. Cf. to look to —— 3a at Phrasal verbs 2, to look unto —— at Phrasal verbs 2. rare after 17th cent. [Perhaps after classical Latin respicere.] Only in religious contexts.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > expectation > hope > confident hope, trust > trust in, rely on [verb (transitive)]

to set one's heart on (also (in)c825

littenc1175

leanc1230

fie1340

trusta1382

resta1393

reappose1567

repose1567

lite1570

rely1574

to set (up) one's rest1579

rely1606

to look back1646

recumba1677

to pin one's faith (also hope, etc.) on (also to) a person's sleeve1791

to look to ——1807

bank1884

1646 P. Bulkley Gospel-covenant i. 52 The whole creation lookes backe unto him that made it for preservation in their being.

a1684 R. Leighton Pract. Comm. 1st Epist. Peter (1693) I. 165 A Believer may look back to the other [sc. God] for comfort, that abuses it not to a sinfull security.

1953 D.T. Rowlingson in J. R. Spann Church & Social Responsibility ii. 36 We look back to him [sc. Christ] for guidance and dynamic, but we live and work in the present.

4. intransitive. to look back to: to evoke or draw inspiration from (something in the past); to pay homage to or appropriate elements of (a style, genre, etc.).

ΘΚΠ

the mind > possession > taking > taking possession > take possession of [verb (transitive)] > appropriate

ownOE

rimec1275

takec1300

appropre1366

to keep, take to or for one's own storec1385

to get awayc1480

proper1496

apprehenda1522

impropry1526

impropriate1567

carve1578

forestall1581

appropriate1583

propriate1587

pocket1597

impatronize1611

propertya1616

asself1632

appropriatea1634

swallow1637

to swallow up1654

sink1699

poucha1774

spheterize1779

sack1807

fob1818

to look back to1822

mop1861

annex1865

1822 D. Stewart Sketches Highlanders Scotl. II. App. p. xc Were it not for these national bodies of men in distinct corps, Scotland must look back to the days of Wallace, Bruce.., and the campaigns of Montrose, for its military character.

1868 R. W. Church Civilization & Relig. 20 In some of its leading and most powerful representatives, [civilization] looks back to paganism.

1943 E. L. Mascall He who Is x. 135 The ‘sophiology’, or teaching concerning the Divine Wisdom.., looks back to the fourteenth-century mystic of Mount Athos, St Gregory Palamas.

1983 Washington Post (Nexis) 16 Oct. 4 Virgil looks back to Homer and thereby constructs a new poem, one that frequently means more than any mere imitation could invoke, out of an acknowledged predecession.

2013 Daily Tel. 28 June 35/3 No surprise that..the New Look that made his [sc. Christian Dior's] name, with its cinched waists and long, full romantic skirts, looks back to the Belle Epoque.

5. intransitive. colloquial. never (also not) to look back: to continue in one's course, esp. to enjoy uninterrupted progress or success, following some significant incident, decision, etc. Cf. never (also not) to look behind one at Phrases 1a(f).

ΚΠ

1846 J. M. Gully Water Cure in Chronic Dis. ii. i. 182 She has never ‘looked back’, but has gone on from good to better.

1893 Daily News 5 Jan. 3/6 Since that day St. Simon has never, to use a slang phrase of the day, ‘looked back.’

1928 Observer 17 June 27/4 Since they adopted the bold experiment..of changing the date of their regatta..Marlow Amateur Regatta has never looked back.

1949 Radio Times 15 July 17/1 Jules Verne..wrote Five Weeks in a Balloon, scored an immediate success, and never looked back.

1970 Motor Boating Sept. 71 (advt.) If you've owned other outboards, sample the new Mercs. You'll never look back.

1998 Today's Golfer 10th Anniv. Special 20/2 Super Mex hasn't looked back since stepping onto the US Senior PGA Tour stage in 1990.

2006 H. O'Neill Lullabies for Little Criminals 173 I left home at fifteen, I never looked back.

to look backward

1. intransitive. To turn and look behind one, or in the direction from which one has travelled; = to look back 2 at Phrasal verbs 1.

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (intransitive)] > look back

to look againwardc1225

to look backwardc1405

to look backwardsc1429

to look again?c1430

to look back1533

c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer Man of Law's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 764 She looketh bakward to the londe.

1491 Mirk's Festialis (Caxton) sig. i. vii^v The kynge that is in the myddell for grete ioye of the sterre he loked bacwarde to his felowe behynde hym and with his finger shewed him the sterre.

1539 R. Morison tr. Frontinus Strategemes & Policies Warre ii. v. sig. Gii Whan Xanthus..loked backeward, Melanthus stept in, and slewe hym at one stroke.

1639 T. Fuller Hist. Holy Warre Ep. Ded. sig. *3^v To have such a crick in his neck that he cannot look backward.

1777 C. Reeve Champion of Virtue 39 Looking backward he saw his friend.., and hallowed to him.

1831 J. F. Cooper Bravo II. vi. 185 The little interruption caused Don Camillo to look backward.

1857 Harper's Mag. Dec. 5 As the maiden through the alleys, looking backward as she flies, woos the fond pursuer onward with the love-light in her eyes.

1907 J. London in Everybody's Mag. Jan. 109/1 Over these [hills] we climbed, looking backward at the forest, which had become a sea of flame.

1986 H. Wixom Elk & Elk Hunting xi. 158/1 Of particular worth is memorizing the scene as you will see it on your return—turn around and look backward.

2014 N.Y. Times (Nexis) 25 June b12 After looking backward at the modest gap they had gained from the key group of riders, Nibali swiftly rode past Horner.

2. intransitive. To call to mind or recollect a past event; to reflect upon the past; = to look back 1a at Phrasal verbs 1. Also: to evoke, pay homage to, or draw inspiration from something in the past; cf. to look back to at Phrasal verbs 1.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > memory > retrospection, reminiscence > look back, retrospect [verb (intransitive)]

to look backward?c1450

to look back1529

to look backwards1598

recoila1616

retrospect1664

run1692

revert1820

reverie1832

to think back (on or to)1901

to job backwards1907

?c1450 tr. Bk. Knight of La Tour Landry (1906) 71 (MED) They that be confession are clensed and repented..shulde not loke bakwarde ayenne to do synne.

a1576 Bp. J. Pilkington Godlie Expos. Nehemiah (1585) 406 Let us..not look backward but go on forth.

1627 G. Hakewill Apologie i. ii. 21 Let not then the vaine shadowes of the Worlds fatall decay keepe vse ither from looking backward to the imitation of our noble Predecessors, or forward in providing for posterity.

1678 R. L'Estrange tr. Of Happy Life xix. 249 in Seneca's Morals Abstracted (1679) The Passage of Time is wonderfully quick, and a Man must look Backward to see it.

1728 E. Young Love of Fame i, in Wks. (1757) I. 84 Men should press forward in fame's glorious chace; Nobles look backward, and so lose the race.

1790 E. Burke Refl. Revol. in France 48 People will not look forward to posterity, who never look backward to their ancestors.

1825 London Mag. Dec. 437 I look backward, and still I look backward, and I attempt to recollect what I have been doing—how those years passed.

1852 N. Hawthorne Blithedale Romance ix. 91 My past life has been a tiresome one enough; yet I would rather look backward ten times than forward once.

1900 H. L. Keeler Our Native Trees 48 Spindle-tree is a name brought over seas and looks backward to a time when spinning and weaving were done at home.

1977 Chicago Tribune Mag. 2 Oct. 49/1 Those of us who have attained ‘three score years and ten’ more often now look backward with nostalgia, remembering the years when we were younger.

2012 Salina (Kansas) Jrnl. 12 Dec. 7/4 The real problem with capital punishment is that it looks backward rather than forward.

to look backwards

1. intransitive= to look backward 1 at Phrasal verbs 1.

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (intransitive)] > look back

to look againwardc1225

to look backwardc1405

to look backwardsc1429

to look again?c1430

to look back1533

c1429 Mirour Mans Saluacioune (1986) l. 3397 Loths wif, loking bakwards, was turnyd til a stone salyne.

1574 J. Whitgift Def. Aunswere to Admon. iv. 161 You are lyke to those that row in a boate, which although they looke backewardes, yet they thruste an other way.

1634 T. Herbert Relation Some Yeares Trauaile 147 They..when past the marke, with an other ready Arrow, can strike the rest looking backwards.

1736 E. Albin Nat. Hist. Spiders 60 It had..two other [eyes] about the middle of the top of its back or head, which look backwards and side-wards.

1865 Temple Bar Sept. 242 Before plunging into the beech-wood I look backwards, and see royal Windsor stately in the sunlight.

a1933 J. A. Thomson Biol. for Everyman (1934) II. 1298 When we rotate our head, looking backwards, to one side, we are moving the atlas on the second neck vertebra or axis.

1987 M. Collins Angel ii. 21 He looked backwards. Regal, and a man from Dunfermline, standing with right hands resting on thick sticks taken from the gliricida trees.

2014 N.Z. Herald (Nexis) 9 Apr. [The boy] was running backwards, or running forwards and looking backwards as the bus drove around the corner.

2. intransitive= to look backward 2 at Phrasal verbs 1.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > memory > retrospection, reminiscence > look back, retrospect [verb (intransitive)]

to look backward?c1450

to look back1529

to look backwards1598

recoila1616

retrospect1664

run1692

revert1820

reverie1832

to think back (on or to)1901

to job backwards1907

1598 F. Meres tr. Luis de Granada Spirituall & Heauenlie Exercises vi. 151 Looking backwardes, it [sc. the soul] shall see all her life time, as the tract and step of one pace.

1648 C. Walker Relations & Observ. ii. 140 This Law..looks backwards to Acts past.

1744 W. Havard Regulus iii. iii. 35 Look backwards to Dentatus' great Example.

1828 T. Arnold in A. P. Stanley Life & Corr. T. Arnold (1844) I. ii. 88 It boots not to look backwards.

1858 E. J. Worboise Kingsdown Lodge xxxii. 429 She looked backwards, and saw herself a happy child, a happy girl, and a happy woman.

1910 J. Matthews Hist. Newport i. 25 To think anciently, one must obliterate the word [sc. Newport] from the mind, and look backwards into the far-off past.

1976 Early Music 4 274 Cavalli's final work, the Requiem, looks backwards also, but its use of the stile antico is not quite so remote as that in the psalms.

2004 Daily Tel. 1 Mar. 17/1 Milan Fashion Week logged on to the same vibe: moving fashion forward by looking backwards was the name of the game.

to look down

1. intransitive.

a. To direct one's gaze downward; (also) to lower one's eyes or face.

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (intransitive)] > look down

to look downa1200

to look downward?a1425

to look downwards1550

to look under1622

OE tr. Vision of St. Paul 69 And se ængel..him to cwæð, loca of dune, and Paulus ða locode on yorðan.]

a1200 MS Trin. Cambr. in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1873) 2nd Ser. 173 Ðanne stondeð þo wreches..and lokeð up and dun and al abuten.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 21320 (MED) Luk as ox euer lokeþ doun.

c1480 (a1400) St. Vincent 326 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) II. 268 Keparis of þe presone, þat thru smal holis lokit done.

1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) v. l. 146 Vpon Fawdoun as he was lukand doun.

1562 Bp. J. Pilkington Expos. Abdyas Pref. 3 Hee that sittes on hygh looked doune to the lowe dungeon of the pryson, and raised Ioseph to be ruler.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Tempest (1623) v. i. 204 Looke downe you gods And on this couple drop a blessed crowne.

1700 R. Blackmore Paraphr. Job ix. 33 He from the Hills of Time looks down, to see The boundless Vale of dark Futurity.

1726 J. Swift Gulliver I. ii. viii. 164 I looked down upon the Servants..as if they had been Pigmies, and I a Giant.

1800 T. Barry Narr. Singular Adventures & Captivity 48 She..looked down on her son with a languid smile.

1871 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest (1876) IV. xviii. 212 Thus is formed the promontory of Lincoln looking down upon the river to the South of it.

1928 A. Huxley Point Counter Point xxxiii. 542 They stood looking down at the body.

1957 ‘R. West’ Fountain Overflows i. 26 We lay on the ledge in silence, looking down on the plain.

2011 Independent 30 May (Viewspaper section) 17/3 Only then I look down and notice that my legs need waxing.

†b. Scottish. To appear downcast or mournful. Obsolete.

ΚΠ

a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 196 It is no glaid collatioun, Quhair ane makis myrrie, ane vther lukis doun.

1567 in R. Pitcairn Criminal Trials Scotl. (1833) I. ii. 512 The said Erle standing at the barr, luiking doun and sad lyke.

a1586 in W. A. Craigie Maitland Folio MS (1919) I. lxxx. 245 Scho luikis doun oft ay lyk ane sow And will nocht speik quhen I cum in.

c. Originally Scottish. to look down on (also upon): to regard with scorn or contempt; to consider oneself superior to. Cf. to look down one's nose (at) at nose n. Phrases 1c(b).

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > hold in contempt [verb (transitive)]

forhowc900

overhowOE

withhuheOE

forhecchec1230

scorna1275

despise1297

spise13..

to set at a pease, at a pie's heel, at a pin's fee1303

to hold, have scorn at, ofc1320

to think scorn ofc1320

to set short by1377

to tell short of1377

to set naught or nought (nothing, not anything) by1390

spitea1400

contemnc1425

nought1440

overlooka1450

mainprizec1450

lightly1451

vilipendc1470

indeign1483

misprize1483

dain?1518

to look down on (also upon)1539

floccipend1548

contempta1555

to take scorn ata1566

embase1577

sdeign1590

disesteem1594

vilify1599

to set lightly, coldly1604

disrepute1611

to hold cheapa1616

avile1616

floccify1623

meprize1633

to think (also believe, etc.) meanly of1642

publican1648

naucify1653

disesteem1659

invalue1673

to set light, at light1718

sneeze1806

sniff1837

derry1896

to hold no brief for1918

1539 in Protocol Bk. Sir J. Cristisone (1928) 66 Ȝe have lukit dovne one me..throcht certane vourdis of displessour I spak of ȝow at this kirk.

a1600 R. Lindsay Hist. & Cron. Scotl. (1899) I. 290 All wther secreittis and inventiouns that he could inwent contrair lord Home and his brother to cause the Duike of Albanie looke doune on them.

1656 A. Stafford President Female Perfection 99 We commonly looke downe on things despicable.

1673 W. Allen Disc. Nature Two Covenants v. 120 The unbelieving Jews..looked down upon them with contempt.

1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 255. ¶9 A solid and substantial Greatness of Soul looks down with a generous Neglect on the Censures and Applauses of the Multitude.

1785 E. Sheridan Let. in Betsy Sheridan's Jrnl. (1986) i. 44 Where people are sufficiently raised to have their minds polish'd though not enough to look down on a person.

1853 H. D. Mackenzie Life in Mission, Camp, & Zenáná II. iii. 84 The parents now complain that their sons look down on them for being so ignorant.

1893 Chambers's Jrnl. 29 July 476/1 They are..looked down upon and scorned.

1915 T. L. Golden Let. 30 May in Lett. from Front (Canadian Bank of Commerce) (1920) I. 19 Ready to look down upon the Britisher as a good-for-nothing lady-like cissy.

1960 Spectator 24 June 931/3 The French have always looked down on Italian wines.

2009 N.Y. Times Mag. 8 Feb. 44 A tipsy Nixon phones Frost to rage at the people who have looked down on him all his life.

2. transitive. To look fixedly at someone until he or she feels forced to look away. Cf. to stare down at stare v. Phrasal verbs.

ΘΚΠ

society > authority > subjection > subjecting or subjugation > subject [verb (transitive)] > suppress, repress, or put down > by looks

to look down1639

outfrown1807

1639 T. Bancroft Two Bks. Epigrammes & Epit. i. sig. C My unpierced Muse, whose lofty rime Shall (Diall-like) stand in the face of time, And looke it downe.

1791 Gentleman's Mag. Apr. 357/2 Thurlow, forbear thy awful frown; I beg you may not look me down.

1837 Knickerbocker 9 361 We're a free trader..and are forced to go well armed, to look down all resistance.

1847 C. G. F. Gore Castles in Air III. xxx. 285 Having no importunate witness present..to look me down while I was bragging.

1918 Country Gentleman 7 Dec. 28/2 ‘You're mistaken,’ he said, trying to look me down.

1942 W. Morris My Uncle Dudley iii. 46 She wasn't so dumb and she'd heard all of that and looked him down.

1995 M. Barker & R. Sabin Lasting of Mohicans v. 111 Coolly, he looks her down and tells her he will not bury his friends.

3. intransitive. Stock Market. Of a commodity: to decrease in value. Also in extended use. Cf. to look up 6 at Phrasal verbs 1.

ΘΚΠ

society > trade and finance > stocks and shares > deal in stocks and shares [verb (intransitive)] > state of market or prices > fall or rise (of prices)

to look downwards1796

to look downward1801

to look down1808

rally1826

sag1870

give way1883

slump1888

firm1896

move1904

spurt1931

perform1933

dip1956

to pull back1966

to go in the tank1974

1808 Ann. Reg. 1806 (Otridge ed.) Hist. Europe 49/1 The bounties would begin soon, in the language of 'Change Alley, to ‘be looking down’.

1850 Brit. Q. Rev. Aug. 60 For once in their lives, even the ‘holders’ of sovereigns thought that shares were ‘looking down’.

1968 B. Bainbridge Another Part of Wood ii. 111 He still went out daily and returned at six o'clock to tell her his shares were looking up—they always looked down the following day.

2005 Time Out 7 Dec. 173/1 Things are looking down for the trout-faced doctor who is fending off accusations of murder.

to look downward

1. intransitive. To direct one's gaze downward; to lower one's eyes or face; = to look down 1a at Phrasal verbs 1.

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (intransitive)] > look down

to look downa1200

to look downward?a1425

to look downwards1550

to look under1622

?a1425 Mandeville's Trav. (Egerton) (1889) 87 Lukand douneward to þe erthe.

?1530 Dialoges Creatures Moralysed xli. sig. N.iii^v A wylde beaste or serpent callyd Cacoblephas..beringe a greuous hede, which continually is lokynge downwarde to the erthe.

1550 J. Heywood Hundred Epigrammes lxix. sig. Ciii I loke downeward to my feete.

1605 Bp. J. Hall Medit. & Vowes I. §39 The wicked manne lookes downe-ward, and sees three terrible spectacles, Death, Iudgement, Hell.

1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost iii. 722 Look downward on that Globe whose hither side With light from hence, though but reflected, shines.

1736 A. S. Catcott Supreme & Inferiour Elahim 13 They..all looked downward on the mercy-seat.

1762 Ld. Kames Elements Crit. I. iv. 273 Neither is looking downward painful.

1863 ‘G. Eliot’ Romola I. i. 17 One [man] was stooping slightly, and looking downward with the scrutiny of curiosity.

1911 Z. Grey Young Lion Hunter viii. 97 Looking downward was like looking into the placid, blue, bottomless depths of the Pacific.

1988 W. Riley in G. Ursell Sky High 192 The upper middle class..could look downward with apprehension, and upward with hope.

2011 M. A. Monroe Butterfly's Daughter (2012) ix. 132 Ofelia's face colored and she looked downward.

2. intransitive. Stock Market. Of a commodity or its price: to decrease in value. Also in extended use. Cf. to look down 3 at Phrasal verbs 1. Now rare.

ΘΚΠ

society > trade and finance > stocks and shares > deal in stocks and shares [verb (intransitive)] > state of market or prices > fall or rise (of prices)

to look downwards1796

to look downward1801

to look down1808

rally1826

sag1870

give way1883

slump1888

firm1896

move1904

spurt1931

perform1933

dip1956

to pull back1966

to go in the tank1974

1801 Morning Chron. 20 Oct. Rye and Malt looks downward and sales very heavy.

1872 Chicago Tribune 20 May 3/2 The supply is increasing and prices are looking downward.

1940 Hutchinson (Kansas) News 16 Mar. 4/1 If business is looking downward the passage of another ‘spend for prosperity’ program is surer than the leadership of the Yankees in the American league.

to look downwards

1. intransitive. = to look downward 1 at Phrasal verbs 1.

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (intransitive)] > look down

to look downa1200

to look downward?a1425

to look downwards1550

to look under1622

1550 R. Sherry tr. J. Brenz Verye Fruitful Expos. Syxte Chapter St. John sig. Fiiii Other creatures..loke downewardes to the grownd, but mans body is vpryght to loke vpon heauen.

1637 T. Nabbes Microcosmus ii. C ij When other creatures..Look downwards on't, [thou] hast an erected figure.

1694 tr. F. Martens Voy. Spitzbergen 114 in Narbrough's Acct. Several Late Voy. He doth not look downwards, but streight before, and sidewards.

1706 tr. L. Bordelon Managem. Tongue 249 He walks looking downwards, and he dares not lift up his Eyes to look upon those who go by.

1796 Monthly Rev. 19 57 A judge was expressed by a man without hands looking downwards, to shew that a judge ought not to be moved either by interest or pity.

1896 Sunday at Home 1 Jan. 264/1 It made Harry giddy to look downwards at the vista of great boulders and fir-trunks clinging, as if for dear life, to the precipitous slope.

1937 G. Dennis Coronation Comm. 157 He was nervous, and nibbled at his nails and looked downwards.

2013 Sunday Mirror (Nexis) 8 Dec. (Notebook Mag. section) Do they look downwards when talking to you? Do they hide their hands? These are two signs people give when they are hiding something.

2. intransitive. Stock Market. = to look downward 2 at Phrasal verbs 1. Now rare.

ΘΚΠ

society > trade and finance > stocks and shares > deal in stocks and shares [verb (intransitive)] > state of market or prices > fall or rise (of prices)

to look downwards1796

to look downward1801

to look down1808

rally1826

sag1870

give way1883

slump1888

firm1896

move1904

spurt1931

perform1933

dip1956

to pull back1966

to go in the tank1974

1796 Daily Advertiser (London) 16 July 1/2 Beef is now..three Farthings a Pound dearer than it had been a Fortnight since; Mutton is, however, looking downwards.

1838 Farmer's Mag. May 388/2 Wool has rather receded in price, and few buyers, which is invariably the case when things are looking downwards.

1852 Express (London) 31 Aug. 1/6 The [tallow] market has become quiet, and prices look downwards.

1919 Japan Financial & Econ. Monthly May 18/2 The price of rice which had been looking downwards showed a great falling off in the month under review.

to look forth

intransitive. To look out, esp. from a window or other vantage point, on to a view or vista. Also figurative with reference to an immaterial or future prospect; cf. to look forward at Phrasal verbs 1. Now somewhat archaic.

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (intransitive)] > look forth or out

to look forthOE

to look outa1393

outlook1888

OE (Northumbrian) Lindisf. Gospels: John xx. 11 Inclinauit se et prospexit in monumentum : gebeg hia seolfe & giorne sceode uel locade forð in ðæm byrgenne.

a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) i. l. 1686 (MED) Sche loketh forth as doth a More.

a1450 ( G. Chaucer Bk. Duchess (Tanner 346) (1871) l. 294 In þe dawnyng I lay..in my bed al naked And lokid forþ, for I was wakid.

1498 Interpr. Names Goddis & Goddesses (de Worde) sig. Ciii^v/1 Then loked I forth as doctryne me bad.

?1507 W. Dunbar Tua Mariit Wemen (Rouen) in Poems (1998) I. 49 I salbe laith to lat him le quhill I may luke furtht.

1569 ‘L. Avale’ Commem. Edmonde Boner ix. sig. C.ij One morne betime I loked forth, as ofte as I did before.

1611 Bible (King James) Song of Sol. ii. 9 He looketh forth..at the windowe.

1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost xii. 209 Through the Firey Pillar and the Cloud God looking forth will trouble all his Host.

1728 R. Erskine Saving Sight 67 He stands looking forth at the Windows of Ordinances.

1766 H. Brooke Fool of Quality I. vii. 296 My soul..looked forth, though at a distance, to some future dawning.

1813 W. Scott Rokeby i. i. 4 The warder..from old Baliol's tower looks forth.

1885 J. H. Dell Dawning Grey, Songs of Surges 97 I stood looking forth o'er the surges,—Looking forth o'er their squadrons of snow.

1908 Michigan Alumnus July 442/2 He looked forth to the legal profession as the one ambition of his life.

1968 Life 5 Apr. 24/1 From behind a plastic mask, a young American spaceman hurtling to Jupiter looks forth, courageous but uncertain.

2006 Pittsburgh Post-Gaz. (Nexis) 9 July e5 That preternatural eye of Sauron, looking forth from Mordor when Frodo dons the Ring.

to look forward

1. intransitive. With to (also occasionally †for, †into, †on). To anticipate, expect, consider (an event in) the future; (in later use esp.) to await eagerly.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > expectation > expect [verb (intransitive)] > look ahead

to look forward1569

the mind > mental capacity > expectation > expect [verb (transitive)]

weenOE

weenc1000

thinklOE

lookc1225

hopec1330

trusta1387

wait onc1390

supposea1393

to wait after ——1393

to look after ——c1400

thinkc1480

attend1483

suppone1490

expect1535

to expect for1538

aspect1548

respect1549

look1560

ween1589

attend1591

propose1594

await1608

to presume on, upon, or of1608

to look forwards1637

prospect1652

to look for ——a1677

augur1678

anticipate1749

to look to ——1782

spect1839

contemplate1841–8

to look forward1848

eye1979

1569 A. Golding tr. N. Hemmingsen Postill (new ed.) f. 320 When Abel slewe his sacrifices,..he looked forward too the thing y^t was signified [L. prospexit ad significatum].

a1616 W. Shakespeare Measure for Measure (1623) iv. iii. 55 Looke forward on the iournie you shall go.

a1695 H. Wharton 14 Serm. preach'd Lambeth Chapel (1697) ix. 324 The Soul cannot but..look forward into the Ages to come, and be solicitous of its future State.

1753 S. Richardson Hist. Sir Charles Grandison IV. xl. 285 As if I were looking forward to a reward.

1780 W. Lothian Hist. United Provinces Netherlands i. 7 They looked forward to the time when firmness and perseverance would force their enemies to grant honourable terms.

1848 H. H. Wilson Hist. Brit. India 1805–35 III. i. 48 They..looked forward to the speedy expulsion of the intruders.

1862 W. M. Thackeray Adventures of Philip III. iii. 65 The way in which we looked forward for letters from our bride and bridegroom.

1892 Temple Bar Nov. 379 We were looking forward to a merry time.

1930 A. M. Lindbergh Let. 17 May in Hour of Gold (1973) 135 Most of the time I am either tired, looking forward to a nap, or fuzzy, just having risen from one.

1970 ‘O. John’ Diamond Dress xii. 139 I'd been looking forward to some delicious spaghetti alla carbonara and a bottle of Frascati.

2011 M. Roffey With Kisses of his Mouth 17 He said..that he was looking forward to meeting me.

2. intransitive.

a. Without construction. To await or consider the future; to be in a state of anticipation.

ΚΠ

1642 H. More Ψυχωδια Platonica sig. E3 Even naturall-providence would bid them look forward.

1684 J. Goodman Winter-evening Conf. 27 If we look forward, and forethink of so many years to come, we are apt to phansie we have an Ocean before us.

1737 A. Pope Epist. of Horace ii. ii. 19 Pleas'd to look forward, pleas'd to look behind.

a1766 F. Sheridan Hist. Nourjahad (1767) 71 The loss of Mandana imbitters all my joys, and methinks I begin to look forward with disgust.

1827 Christian Telescope 16 June 125/2 It is with heartful satisfaction that we look forward.

1883 M. Oliphant Hester II. v. 71 Now I can look forward with unmingled pleasure.

1946 H. W. Schneider Hist. Amer. Philos. xxv. 281 Some looked forward in the spirit of utopian reform.

2009 in J. Cassio & A. Rush Green Careers 59 Building inspection is a conservative field, although the green building stuff is challenging many of them to look forward.

b. looking forward: (esp. in business and management) in or for the future; looking ahead; starting from now. Cf. going forward at go v. Phrasal verbs 1.

ΚΠ

1987 World Econ. Outlook (Internat. Monetary Fund) Oct. 28/2 Looking forward, it is hard to dispute that..increased financing would have beneficial effects.

1995 R. S. Nickerson in D. N. Perkins et al. Software goes to School i. 18 Looking forward, there is the possibility of an effective synergism here.

2001 Daily Tel. 8 Mar. 28/1 Looking forward, earnings before interest depreciation and amortisation are growing at 25pc a year and are expected to hit £7.2 billion by 2002.

to look forwards

1. intransitive. Without construction. = to look forward 2a at Phrasal verbs 1.

ΚΠ

1598 F. Meres tr. Luis de Granada Spirituall & Heauenlie Exercises vi. 151 Looking forwards, seeing so euerlasting an age of eternity.

1690 T. Burnet Rev. Theory of Earth 8 An account of all the general changes of the Natural World, as far as either Sacred History looks backwards, or Sacred Prophecy looks forwards.

1717 Censor (ed. 2) 191 When I look forwards, and anticipate in Thought the Prospect of those burning Months.

1807 T. Young Course Lect. Nat. Philos. I. xx. 240 To induce us to look forwards with impatience to the publication of such of his works, as have lately been discovered.

1916 E. F. Benson David Blaize viii. 177 He sat there, looking backwards into his life and finding no comfort there; and then looking forwards, seeing a gleam of saving hope.

2007 C. E. Dascălu Imaginary Homelands Writers in Exile Introd. 30 It is quite clear that the medium of writing is one that is always looking forwards, and is, therefore, never complete.

2. intransitive. With to (also occasionally †for, into, †on). = to look forward 1 at Phrasal verbs 1.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > expectation > expect [verb (transitive)]

weenOE

weenc1000

thinklOE

lookc1225

hopec1330

trusta1387

wait onc1390

supposea1393

to wait after ——1393

to look after ——c1400

thinkc1480

attend1483

suppone1490

expect1535

to expect for1538

aspect1548

respect1549

look1560

ween1589

attend1591

propose1594

await1608

to presume on, upon, or of1608

to look forwards1637

prospect1652

to look for ——a1677

augur1678

anticipate1749

to look to ——1782

spect1839

contemplate1841–8

to look forward1848

eye1979

1637 P. Heylyn Antidotum Lincolniense ii. viii. 120 Your Noverint Vniversi being sealed and delivered, wee should look forwards to the rest of your observations.

a1684 R. Leighton Pract. Comm. 1st Epist. Peter (1694) II. 347 Looking forwards on eternity, and then looking back to our days, so vainly wasted and worn out to no purpose.

1727 J. E. tr. D. de Saavadra Fajardo Respublica Literaria 91 The Soul..looking forwards into Futurity, and acquiring a kind of Prescience of Things to come.

1819 Q. Jrnl. Sci. & Arts July 266 The British Museum must look forwards for many accessions.

1822 W. Whewell Let. 17 July in I. Todhunter William Whewell (1876) II. 47 You have time plenty to look forwards to the commencement of your illuminatory course in October.

1981 Biogr. Mem. Fellows Royal Soc. 27 123 It was characteristic of Brian to look forwards into the future rather than back on his past achievements for the subject of his Leeuwenhoek Lecture.

2000 N. Griffiths Grits (2001) 271 A feel grand after av yakked an am lookin forwards ter more beer an the rester me vindaloo, so a head back down to the table.

to look in

1. intransitive. To look through an opening into the interior of something, esp. a room or building.

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (transitive)] > look into

to look inc1390

c1390 (?c1350) Joseph of Arimathie (1871) l. 281 (MED) Þenne þei loken in atte wȝucche loueliche boþe.

a1400 Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) 987/188* Iohne..loked in & saȝe þe schetez, bot he dorst not gang in.

1483 Catholicon Anglicum (BL Add. 89074) (1881) 223 To Luke jn, jnspicere.

a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 163 Me thocht Aurora..In at the window lukit by the day.

1535 Bible (Coverdale) Song of Sol. ii. 9 He..loketh in at the wyndowe, & pepeth thorow the grate.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 1 (1623) i. vi. 40 Here, through this Grate..Let vs looke in, the sight will much delight thee.

1684 Tryal L. Braddon & H. Speke 58 I went to the Closet.., and I looked in, and saw the Razour all in Blood.

1727 H. Herbert tr. C. Fleury Eccl. Hist. I. viii. 492 Looking in through a crevice and seeing no body, they concluded that they were demons.

1787 Scots Mag. Jan. 18/1 He looked in at the lower window, but could not distinguish a single object thro' the impenetrable gloom.

1830 Ld. Tennyson Mermaid in Poems 28 That great seasnake..Would..look in at the gate With his large calm eyes.

1865 C. Dickens Our Mutual Friend II. iv. xiii. 274 Mr. Boffin, submitting to be led on tiptoe to the nursery door, looked in with immense satisfaction.

1925 J. Dos Passos Manhattan Transfer iii. i. 277 A plainclothesman opened the door of the cab and looked in as they went out the gate.

1965 M. Bradbury Stepping Westward iii. 152 He..looked in through the glass-fronted boxes at the rows of delectables within.

2006 H. O'Neill Lullabies for Little Criminals 121 Theo and I decided to crawl inside the cement tunnel... When any kid came to look in, Theo would yell at them to fuck off.

2. intransitive. To enter a room, building, etc., for the purpose of seeing someone or something; to make a short visit or call (on or upon a person). Also in extended use.

ΘΚΠ

the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going or coming in > go or come in [verb (intransitive)] > come in unexpectedly

to drop in1609

to look ina1616

to blow in1895

pop1977

society > leisure > social event > visit > visiting > visit [verb (intransitive)] > visit informally

to call in1573

to drop in1609

to look ina1616

to come round1620

to go round1636

to put in1668

to go around1742

to happen in1749

to run in and out1779

to come around1822

to pop in and out1846

to happen in with1883

to stop in1904

stop1905

society > leisure > social event > visit > visiting > visit [verb (transitive)] > informally

to look into ——1596

to look ina1616

a1616 W. Shakespeare Othello (1622) v. ii. 264 Looke in vpon me then, and speake to me.

1691 R. Ames Search after Claret i. xxvi. 7 We lookt in at the Ship and found the Boys idle.

1754 J. Spence Let. 2 Nov. in T. Warton Corr. (1995) i. 29 It would be a kind and charitable thing to look in upon one in the winter.

1799 in Spirit of Public Jrnls. (1800) 3 121 To fashionably and carelessly look in at Tattersall's.

1836 C. Dickens Pickwick Papers (1837) ii. 25 Will ten o'clock be too late to look in for half an hour?

1890 W. C. Russell Ocean Trag. III. xxvi. 4 I'll look in upon him after breakfast.

1921 Black Diamond 5 Nov. 473/2 He looked in on the Detroit branch office of the company before returning to Cincinnati.

1978 Backpacker Oct. 61/1 Fish Lake, where we would look in on two men spending the winter.

1987 News on Sunday 12 July 35 I looked in on the scheme run by cricketer Jean Wright.

2010 R. Wyatt Lett. to Omar 135 I walked by our ‘afternoon hotel’ on the way here and looked in for old time's sake.

3. intransitive. colloquial. To watch a television programme. Cf. looker-in n. (b) at looker n. Compounds 2. Now rare. [After to listen in at listen v. 2e.]

ΘΚΠ

society > communication > broadcasting > audience > [verb] > television viewing

to look in1922

to watch in1928

teleview1931

1922 Los Angeles Times 21 Nov. ii. 4/2 The latest invention..will enable us to see around the world as we now hear and talk around it. Thus, in Los Angeles we will not only ‘listen in’, but look in as well.

1950 Ann. Reg. 1949 418 At the end of October there were..206,000 [television] sets licensed and..as many as a million people regularly looking-in.

1959 J. Boland Operation Red Carpet v. 67 I often look-in when he's on.

1991 Guardian 21 Oct. 25/1 TV-am's total audience—12 million-plus people looking in at some time during the week.

to look off

intransitive. To turn one's eyes away.

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > not seeing or preventing from seeing > prevent from seeing [verb (intransitive)] > turn one's eyes away

to look offa1586

a1586 Sir P. Sidney Arcadia (1590) ii. xvii. f. 177 Philoclea..gaue her self to be seen vnto her, with such a lightning of Beauty vpon Zelmane, that nether she could looke on, nor would looke of.

1643 A. Jackson Help Understanding Script. xxix. 212 All the following ceremonies, sacrifices, purifyings, were to this end, to teach men to look off from these men.

1738 J. Swift Compl. Coll. Genteel Conversat. 25 Why then, Mr. Neverout, do you see, if you don't much like it, you may look off of it.

1782 H. Walpole Vertue's Anecd. Painting (ed. 3) V. 113 Another small head of a man looking off.

1814 J. Austen Mansfield Park II. v. 115 Will not you engage to attend with your eyes steadily fixed on him the whole time..; or only looking off just to note down any sentence pre-eminently beautiful?

1864 Mrs. H. Wood Trevlyn Hold III. x. 137 He looked off from his plate to stir his tea.

1933 Boys' Life Mar. 6/3 The memorandum was on his desk when he came in. He picked it up—looked off for a moment.

1984 New Yorker 17 Dec. 122/3 Tom came round to open the car door for Aunt Daisie. ‘What can I do to help?’ he asked. ‘You can look off somewhere,’ Aunt Daisie said.

2010 E. Corrigan Accomplice xiii. 120 He looked off in the direction of the woods I'd just crawled through.

to look on

1. intransitive.

a. To direct one's gaze in observation or contemplation; esp. to watch without participating, to be a spectator or observer. Cf. to look upon at Phrasal verbs 1.In early use (when on immediately precedes look) difficult to distinguish from onlook vb. at on- prefix 1b.

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (intransitive)] > look on or spectate

to look onOE

to look upona1470

to keep the ring1798

to play the gallery1870

spectate1929

OE Old Eng. Hexateuch: Deut. (Claud.) xxviii. 32 Syn ðine suna & ðine dohtra geseald oðrum folce, ðær ðu on locige [L. videntibus oculis tuis].

c1485 ( G. Hay Bk. Law of Armys (2005) 285 A trety of proprieteis..yat salbe gude and prouffitable for all men yat on lukis.

a1568 in Bannatyne MS f. 136^v For to luk on quha sa lykis na langer scho tareit.

1597 W. Shakespeare Romeo & Juliet i. iv. 38 Ile be a candleholder and looke on .

1628 J. Earle Micro-cosmogr. xliii. sig. H2^v He enioyes it that lookes on and bets not.

1649 in S. Ree Rec. Elgin (1908) II. 434 The examinators..sall..exerceise them in the same kynd, the master lookeing on.

1741 J. Ozell tr. P. de B. de Brantôme Spanish Rhodomontades 21 Miscarrying in that Design too, he contented himself, for a while, to lye-by and look on.

1783 H. Rooke Trav. Arabia Felix vii. 54 An old slave, who looked on with silent anguish while a tear trickled down his cheek.

a1830 W. Surtees Twenty-five Years in Rifle Brigade (1833) xvii. 342 In order to magnify the appearance of our force, should any concealed American be looking on, we extended our files.

1879 M. Pattison Milton x. 118 The world looks on and laughs.

1924 J. A. Thomson Sci. Old & New xliv. 259 While the umbrella-ant workers are busy.., some of their fellows, with enormously large heads, simply walk about looking on.

1965 Mrs. L. B. Johnson White House Diary 13 July (1970) 296 I would depend upon that man if I were John Citizen looking on from my living room.

2013 New Yorker 4 Feb. 54/3 His father was a veterinarian and a metalworking hobbyist, who tinkered with his Lotuses and Mini Coopers in the back yard while his younger son looked on.

b. to look on ahead: to direct one's gaze ahead of oneself; (hence) to consider or contemplate the future.

ΚΠ

1854 Another Trip to East 135 Looking on ahead, we found to our sorrow that we had floated once more within sight of the citadel of ‘El Masr’, or Cairo.

1860 H. Fearon What to learn & what to Unlearn (new ed.) i. 33 In every way some knowledge of social economy would help a man. It would teach him to look on ahead.

1918 E. Philpotts Spinners xix. 453 Be a man and take man's views and look on ahead and think of your future life.

1962 Amer. Motorcyclist June 30/3 I looked on ahead at the people I knew.

2012 N.Y. Times (Nexis) 22 Apr. 23 We're always concerned about looking on ahead... We're not particularly nostalgic people.

2. intransitive. colloquial. To read from a book, etc., at the same time (with another person).

ΘΚΠ

society > communication > reading > [verb (intransitive)] > at the same time as another person

to look over1837

to look on1893

1893 [implied in: Cornhill Mag. Jan. 64 They seem to have had a scarcity of music, necessitating a good deal of ‘looking on’.].

1930 in Trans. Yorks. Dial. Soc. (1989) 17 43 Con Ah look on wi thee?

1994 C. Fuhrman Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys 104 Look on with someone else.

2003 A. Huebner We Pierce (2004) v. 53 He had..forgotten his textbook. Meg let him look on with her.

to look out

1. intransitive.

a. To look from within a room, building, etc., to the outside; (also) to put one's head out of a window or other opening so as to look through it. Also in figurative context.

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (intransitive)] > look forth or out

to look forthOE

to look outa1393

outlook1888

a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) v. l. 6661 That I be nyhte mai arise, At som wyndowe and loken oute.

a1450 York Plays (1885) 85 (MED) We dar not loke oute at no dore.

a1525 (c1448) R. Holland Bk. Howlat l. 63 in W. A. Craigie Asloan MS (1925) II. 97 To luke out on day licht.

1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VIII f. lxxxxi^v A prison and a man lokyng out at a grate.

1567 T. Harman Caueat for Commen Cursetors (new ed.) sig. Cii [She] wente vnto her hall windowe..and loking out therat pointed with her fingar.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Timon of Athens (1623) v. ii. 13 Lord Timon, Timon, Looke out, and speake to Friends.

a1640 J. Fletcher & P. Massinger False One i. ii, in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. Qq2^v/2 Looke out bright eyes, and blesse the ayre: Even in shadowes you are faire.

1749 L. Pilkington Mem. (new ed.) II. 220 The Fellows..looked out at the Window, while I dressed myself.

1809 B. H. Malkin tr. A. R. Le Sage Adventures Gil Blas III. vii. ii. 30 They..looked out at the corners of their eyes.

1855 Ld. Tennyson Maud ix, in Maud & Other Poems 33 The sun look'd out with a smile Betwixt the cloud and the moor.

1913 A. M. Doling Brilla xiv. 122 Walking to the door he looked out upon the fairness of the day, its gleaming, sparkling radiance.

1951 S. H. Bell December Bride i. v. 38 Sarah..stood with her back to the room looking out over the close.

2011 J. Franc Hooked 59 You went to the window and looked out.

†b. To appear, show oneself. Also of a quality or attribute: to become apparent or manifest. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > visibility > be visible [verb (intransitive)] > appear or become visible

ariseOE

to come in (also to, on, etc.) placec1225

'peara1382

appear1382

kithea1400

to show out?a1425

muster?1435

to come forthc1449

to look outa1470

apparish1483

to show forth1487

come1531

to come out?1548

peer1568

to look through1573

glimpse1596

loom1605

rise1615

emicate1657

emike1657

present1664

opena1691

emerge1700

dawn1744

to come down the pike1812

to open out1813

to crop out1849

unmask1858

to come through1868

to show up1879

to come (etc.) out of thin air1932

surface1961

a1470 T. Malory Morte Darthur (Winch. Coll. 13) (1990) III. 1215 Why holdyst thou thyselff within holys and wallys lyke a cowarde? Loke oute, thou false traytoure knyght.

a1500 (a1400) Ipomedon (Chetham) (1889) l. 7289 (MED) Ipomadon through þe body hym bare; By hyde [read Byhynde] his bake a fote and more, The hedde lokyd oute behynde.

1579 T. North tr. Plutarch Liues 690 These rouers and sea pirates had all the sea Mediterraneum at commaundement: insomuch there durst not a marchant looke out.

1609 W. Shakespeare Troilus & Cressida iv. vi. 57 Her wanton spirits looke out At euery ioynt and motiue of her body.

1690 S. Mullenaux Jrnl. Three Months Royal Campaign Ireland 13/2 The Protestants now began to look out, not knowing well in what Condition they were in, but venturing to the Castle, they found Capt. Farlow.

2. transitive. To find by looking; to search out. Now chiefly British.

ΘΚΠ

society > communication > reading > [verb (transitive)] > find in a book or paper

looklOE

to look out?1496

to turn to ——1568

to look upa1632

to turn up1710

to turn out1834

the world > action or operation > endeavour > searching or seeking > finding or discovery > find or discover [verb (transitive)] > find by other specific means

to look out?1496

to turn up1523

to bolt out1553

quafer1694

peep1819

poke-out1874

?1496 Peruula sig. A^v I shal reherce myn englissh first ones. twyes or thryes. and loke oute my principal verbe.

1535 Bible (Coverdale) Ezek. xxi. 29 Thou hast loked the out vanities, & prophecied lyes.

a1593 C. Marlowe Tragicall Hist. Faustus (1604) sig. D3 She has sent me to looke thee out, prethee, come away.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Timon of Athens (1623) iii. ii. 61 Ile looke you out a good turne Seruilius.

1658 in Plymouth Col. Rec. (1855) III. 141 Liberty is graunted vnto Mr. Josias Winslow,..to look out a place to suply him with twenty fiue acres of land.

1768 E. Cleaveland in B. P. Smith Hist. Dartmouth Coll. (1878) 36 The Deputy Surveyor,..offered his assistance to look out the township and survey it.

1789 H. L. Piozzi Observ. Journey France II. 133 I am tired of looking out words to express their various merits.

1838 C. Dickens Oliver Twist I. viii. 133 You're a-staring at the pocket-handkerchiefs!—eh, my dear?.. We've just looked 'em out ready for the wash.

1884 ‘E. Lyall’ We Two II. iii. 64 She went..for the ‘Bradshaw’, and looked out the afternoon trains.

1953 K. Tennant Joyful Condemned xxxvi. 358 I looked out a dress of mine.

1966 A. J. Bliss Dict. Foreign Words & Phrases 14 Obsolete words which must be looked out in a historical dictionary.

2002 V. Coren & C. Skelton Once more, with Feeling xliv. 304 She..has looked out the two white garments she owns and wears them with graceful reluctance.

†3. intransitive. To go out looking; to make a brief excursion. Also to look out of (a place). Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > travel > [verb (intransitive)] > make short journey or excursion, esp. for pleasure

to go abroadc1400

to make an errandc1400

to look out1551

jaunt1647

out1653

trip1664

to make or take a step1670

to step up1758

run1759

excursion1792

excursionize1866

tripper1959

1551 T. Wilson Rule of Reason sig. Mj^v He loked not out of his house all that daye.

1627 J. Mayer Ecclesiastica Interpretatio 455 If men on horsebacke would looke out to it, their bloud couereth the ground such a distance and so deepe as that it commeth vp to the horse bridles.

1699 W. Dampier Voy. & Descr. i. vii. 131 The Fish is presently sent to the Market in one of their Boats, the rest looking out again for more.

1793 J. Smeaton Narr. Edystone Lighthouse (ed. 2) §296 It was not till the 12th instant that we were able to look out to sea further than to supply the seamen on board the buss with provisions.

4. intransitive.

a. To keep watch; to be alert or vigilant; to take care, be careful. Also in imperative, as a warning. Cf. lookout n. 1.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > vigilance > be vigilant or on one's guard [verb (intransitive)]

watcha1225

warea1325

bewarea1400

keepc1400

waitc1400

lay good waitc1440

to lie in great waitc1440

to look out?1553

to look about1599

awake1602

advigilate1623

to keep an eye open1651

perdue1656

to look sharp1680

waken1682

tout1699

to keep a sharp look-out1827

to keep one's weather-eye open1829

to keep (also have) an eye out1833

to keep one's eyes peeled1844

to watch out1845

to skin one's eyes1851

to have (also keep) one's eye on the ball1937

to watch one's back1949

the world > action or operation > manner of action > care, carefulness, or attention > caution > be cautious or take care [verb (intransitive)]

warea1000

biwaitc1456

to look to it1548

to look out?1553

to play safe1601

to be on the sure side1668

to mind out1823

to keep one's powder dry1837

to play it safe1873

to have a care1876

to watch it1916

to watch (or mind) one's step1934

the world > action or operation > manner of action > care, carefulness, or attention > care or heed [verb (intransitive)] > take care > to do something

await?c1430

regard1535

to be surec1555

observe1611

consider1646

to look out1655

see1734

?1553 tr. Pope Pius II Hist. Ladye Lucres & Eurialus sig. E.i^v I wyll looke oute [L. oculis observabo] that noo man take nothynge.

1602 B. Jonson Poetaster ii. i. sig. C These Courtiers runne in my minde still; I must looke out .

1655 C. Chauncy in J. Quincy Hist. Harvard Univ. (1840) I. 469 That..your petitioner..[may not be] enforced to look out to alter his condition.

1705 F. Fuller Medicina Gymnastica Pref. sig. d^v It is high time to look out, and set upon a resolute Course of Riding.

1740 tr. C. de F. de Mouhy Fortunate Country Maid I. 77 Let us look out sharp where we are, this is the Place we lost her in.

1829 W. S. Landor Imaginary Conversat. 2nd Ser. II. viii. 449 Before that time I will look out sharply, and afterward you must.

1886 W. Besant Children of Gibeon II. ii. ix. 104 You'd better look out. Melenda's in a rage.

1930 W. S. Maugham Cakes & Ale x. 116 You're so sharp you'll cut yourself if you don't look out.

1952 E. Ferber Giant xx. 334 You want to look out, Bick, she don't get tromped the way they're milling around today.

2014 Morning Call (Allentown, Pa.) (Nexis) 1 May a19 ‘Look out!’ someone shouted as the panicked attendees fled toward the rear.

†b. Cricket. To field. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > cricket > fielding > field [verb (intransitive)]

stop1744

scout1786

to watch out1786

field1798

to look out1836

to fag out1839

to seek out1840

1836 C. Dickens Pickwick Papers (1837) vii. 68 Several players were stationed, to ‘look out’, in different parts of the field.

1869 Boy's Bk. Sports, Games, Exercises, & Pursuits 109 Point has to look out in a line with the popping crease, and about seven yards from the striker.

5. intransitive. to look out for.

a. To watch for; to search, be on the lookout for; to await vigilantly.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > endeavour > searching or seeking > search for or seek [verb (transitive)] > search about for

to search out?a1400

to look about1536

to feel after ——?1557

study1561

to feel for ——1569

to look out for1578

to lay out1624

to look round1630

to lay about1755

prospect1854

roust1870

to look around1927

the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > vigilance > [verb (transitive)] > guard against

warea900

to be aware of1095

wardc1230

bihedea1250

to attend fromc1375

counterwaitc1386

to look out for1578

counterguard1583

bewarea1600

mind1700

to guard against1725

tent1737

1578 G. Best True Disc. Passage to Cathaya ii. 13 Euery man within borde..had ynough to doe, with his handes to hale ropes, and with his eyes to looke out for daunger.

1659 in Rothesay Town Council Rec. (1935) I. 31 That the proveist..luik out for timber for building the smiddie.

1669 Lady Chaworth in 12th Rep. Royal Comm. Hist. MSS (1890) App. v. 11 Some [are] so foolish now to cry the Duchess hath done itt, to looke out for love letters.

1742 G. Berkeley Let. 2 Feb. in Wks. (1871) IV. viii. 284 I wrote..to Dean Browne to look out for a six-stringed bass viol of an old make and mellow tone.

1766 O. Goldsmith Vicar of Wakefield II. vii. 103 Prepare then this evening to look out for work against to-morrow.

1892 Chambers's Jrnl. 4 June 361/2 I'll look out for something to do.

1917 J. M. Grider Diary 29 Sept. in War Birds (1927) 21 We were supposed to look out for gulls which they say usually follow in the wake of a sub.

1954 Househ. Guide & Almanac (News of World) 15/1 Look out for the Plough, which consists of seven stars in the constellation of the Great Bear.

2005 Delicious Nov. 124/3 For the French toast, look out for cinnamon swirl bread in supermarkets.

b. To show care or concern for; to act in the interests of.

ΚΠ

1752 H. ap D. Price Genuine Acct. Life & Trans. iii. 31 She..requested me rather to look out for our mutual Security.

1798 J. Ebers New & Compl. Dict. German & Eng. Lang. II. 827/1 Every one looks out for his own Interest.

1828 W. Scott Fair Maid of Perth iii, in Chron. Canongate 2nd Ser. III. 57 Rely on my looking out for your safety.

1894 D. C. Fletcher Reminisc. Calif. 195 McClellan always looked out for the privates, and did not have them make forced marches, or do anything else that was disagreeable.

1919 W. Irwin Blooming Angel iv. 74 I've looked out for ev-erything [sic]... I've brought a hundred and twenty-eight dollars in my own little selfish purse.

1956 A. L. Rowse Diary Jan. (2003) 205 Georgia looking out for herself—a nice demonstration of the impossibilism of the Confederacy.

2004 Deseret Morning News (Salt Lake City) (Nexis) 4 Dec. There's nobody there looking out for the defendants at all. So it's a walk-through for the state.

6. intransitive. Of a building, window, etc.: to have or afford an outlook on, over, to, etc.

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > thing seen > place where view obtained > have view [verb (intransitive)]

seec1200

prospect1555

to look out1624

command1667

1624 J. Smith Gen. Hist. Virginia v. 191 A frame of wood built by Master More for a Watch-tower to looke out to Sea.

1686 tr. J. Chardin Coronation Solyman 84 in Trav. Persia The great Portal of his Palace that looks out into the Royal Square.

1725 D. Defoe Tour Great Brit. II. i. 78 On that Side of the Building which looks out upon the Terrace, are all the Royal Apartments.

1756 Gentleman's Mag. May 215/2 A window that looks out to the North.

1819 W. Irving Sketch Bk. i. 34 The windows of the study, which looked out upon the soft scenery I have mentioned.

1866 W. Collins Armadale I. 162 The bedroom looked out over the great front door.

1915 F. H. Burnett Lost Prince i. 4 The back bedroom looked out on small, sooty, flagged yards, where thin cats quarrelled.

1957 ‘P. Quentin’ Suspicious Circumstances i. 5 Two days later I was installed in a suitably Vie de Bohème apartment looking out on the Luxembourg gardens.

2008 B. Colin Luminous Life Lilly Aphrodite (2009) 92 He led her up a narrow flight of stairs to a tiny, low-ceilinged attic room with a window that looked out across East Berlin.

to look over

1. transitive. To cast one's eyes over; to scrutinize, inspect, examine; to read, peruse (written matter).

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > enquiry > investigation, inspection > investigate, examine [verb (transitive)] > look through, examine

oversee1348

searcha1387

laita1400

overlooka1400

to look overc1400

to run through ——c1449

oversearch1532

overview1549

tumble1597

coursea1616

perquest1892

c1400 (?a1300) Kyng Alisaunder (Laud) (1952) l. 5819 (MED) Þe kyng of his stede aliȝth, And steeȝ on þe wal anon-riȝth And loked ouer what hij dede.

?c1450 Life St. Cuthbert (1891) l. 11 (MED) Saynt cuthbert lyfe..Who so lykes to luk it oure, He sall fynde it part in foure.

1533 T. More Apologye iii. sig. C.ii^v It is lytle meruayle that yt seme long and tedyouse vn to them to rede yt ouer wyth in, whom yt irketh to do so myche as loke yt ouer wythout.

1598 I. D. tr. L. Le Roy Aristotles Politiques ii. iv. 84 He painted his writings, that is to say, that hee looked them ouer, and corrected them must curiously.

a1655 J. Tillinghast Elijah's Mantle (1658) 288 Wee never read of a Saint so holy in Scripture, but look him over, and wee shall finde some spot upon him here or there.

1666 J. Bunyan Grace Abounding 94 My heart hath been so dead and drie unto it [sc. the Bible], that I could not conceive the last dram of refreshment, though I have lookt it over.

1706 T. Hearne Remarks & Coll. (1885) I. 201 Dr. Kennett..look'd them [sc. Robert Dodsworth's manuscripts] all over.

1780 T. Davies Mem. Life David Garrick I. ix. 85 Mr. Garrick..received this letter; after looking it over, he put it into the colonel's hand.

1809 B. H. Malkin tr. A. R. Le Sage Adventures Gil Blas IV. xi. ii. 262 The minister..looked me over from head to foot.

1892 Temple Bar Apr. 467 I have a number of papers to look over.

1920 M. Lynn Free Soil v. 40 ‘She must have got a wrong impression somehow,’ John persisted, looking the letter over again.

1964 Life 7 Aug. 64/1 As they accepted his gifts..they looked him over.

2011 B. Wiggins Shifting xvii. 159 I put the menu between us again and began looking it over.

2. intransitive. colloquial. To read from or examine a book, etc., with another person. Cf. to look on 2 at Phrasal verbs 1. Now rare.

ΘΚΠ

society > communication > reading > [verb (intransitive)] > at the same time as another person

to look over1837

to look on1893

1837 Minutes of Evid. Chester & Birkenhead Railway Bill 320 in Parl. Papers (H.L. 107.1) XVII. 1 At Woodside Mr. Poole looked over with me, and gave me the total Number of Passengers.

1913 School Educ. Dec. 4/1 The poor boy sometimes ‘looked over’ with his more favored fellow.

to look round

(Cf. to look around at Phrasal verbs 1)

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (intransitive)] > look around

to look abouta1200

to look round?1505

to look around1600

skim1817

rubber1896

?1505 tr. P. Gringore Castell of Laboure (new ed.) sig. B.ii^v I risynge vp loked rounde aboute. [No corresponding sentence in the French original.]

1566 J. Studley Eurybates in tr. Seneca Agamemnon sig. G.vii^v When lookyng round on euery syde she toke her leaue of all.

a1618 J. Sylvester tr. G. Fracastoro Maidens Blush (1620) sig. B There looking round, Neither his Brethren, nor the Flocks he found.

1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost vi. 529 Others from the dawning Hills Lookd round, and Scouts each Coast light-armed scoure.

1709 D. Manley Secret Mem. (ed. 2) II. 197 See! that Chamber! are you not, as you look round, in a beautiful Parterre?

1791 A. Radcliffe Romance of Forest I. iii. 98 I looked round in search of a human dwelling.

1863 ‘G. Eliot’ Romola II. ix. 96 Tito looked round with inward amusement at the various crowd.

1892 Black & White 19 Mar. 367/2 I had now time and daylight enough to look round.

1950 R. Macdonald Drowning Pool xvi. 143 He looked round at the desert, chiaroscuroed with moon shadows.

2005 R. Fowler & D. Maddock My Autobiogr. (2006) xiv. 369 I was looking round too, but all I saw was everyone staring at the ground.

2. intransitive. To seek or search for. Also without construction (frequently in progressive tenses): to examine or consider a situation with a view to taking some action, deciding on a course, etc.; to explore all possibilities.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > endeavour > searching or seeking > search for or seek [verb (transitive)] > search about for

to search out?a1400

to look about1536

to feel after ——?1557

study1561

to feel for ——1569

to look out for1578

to lay out1624

to look round1630

to lay about1755

prospect1854

roust1870

to look around1927

the mind > attention and judgement > enquiry > investigation, inspection > close examination, scrutiny > examine closely [verb (intransitive)] > explore all possibilities

to look round1630

to look around1737

1630 P. Massinger Picture sig. D4 Weary he was, and scarse could stand vpright And looking round for some couragious Knight To reskue him.

1700 tr. F. de S. de la Mothe-Fénelon Adventures Telemachus (ed. 2) v. 507 While he was looking round for him, in vain, an old Man, venerable, and full of Majesty, advanc'd toward him.

1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. vii. 161 In great perturbation men began to look round for help.

c1869 T. Taylor & A. W. Dubourg in M. R. Booth Eng. Plays of 19th Cent. (1973) III. 250 I've begged and prayed to him for time—only to look round.

1950 J. Cannan Murder Included i. 8 Hugo..is out of the army and looking round; there was some talk of him starting a dairy herd.

1966 I. Jefferies House-surgeon i. 13 Smiling uncomfortably and looking round for unforthcoming support from Grant.

1999 R. T. Davies Queer as Folk: Scripts Episode 5. 141 Cameron. What does an Account Director do? Stuart. I direct accounts... I could do it in my sleep, I dunno, I might move, I'm looking round.

to look through

1. transitive.

a. To look at thoroughly, so as to perceive or understand the true nature of; to see thoroughly into; to search.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > understanding > intelligence, cleverness > sharpness, shrewdness, insight > penetrate, discern [verb (transitive)]

piercea1398

to look througha1525

insee1541

penetrate?1563

to see through ——1565

to look through ——1580

understand1587

to break through1597

fathom1633

unfathom1707

a1525 (c1448) R. Holland Bk. Howlat l. 49 in W. A. Craigie Asloan MS (1925) II. 96 I sawe ane howlat..Lukand ye laike throwe.

1565 J. Jewel Replie Hardinges Answeare To Rdr. sig. ¶2^v Socrates saith, Wee may not beleeue euery Argumente, that is shewed vs, vpon the sight. But must open it, and searche it, and looke it through.

1653 F. Higginson Brief Relation Irrelig. Northern Quakers 19 It hath been his custome..to fix his Eyes earnestly on such strangers as came into his company a good while together as though he wold look them through.

1667 J. Dryden Indian Emperour iii. ii. 32 Fate sees thy Life lodg'd in a brittle Glass, And looks it through, but to it cannot pass.

1737 A. Pope Epist. of Horace i. i. 108 Who bids thee face with steddy view Proud Fortune, and look shallow Greatness thro'.

1779 F. Burney Let. 28 May in Early Jrnls. & Lett. (1994) III. 286 He calls you a sly, designing body,—& says you look all the people through most wickedly.

1826 A. M. Porter Honor O'Hara I. vi. 309 Eyes that look you through in no time.

1887 Edinb. Rev. July 231 His eye glaring at a stranger with a gaze that seemed to look him through and through.

1908 Dentist's Mag. Oct. 857 He didn't have..machines that look you through.

1996 G. Spence Making of Country Lawyer xxxii. 386 He..held you with his eyes like a lemur hanging from a limb peering at you,..trying to look you through.

b. To study, examine, survey exhaustively. Now rare.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > enquiry > investigation, inspection > close examination, scrutiny > scrutinize [verb (transitive)]

through-seekOE

gropea1250

to search outa1382

ensearch1382

boltc1386

examinea1387

ransackc1390

ripea1400

search1409

overreach?a1425

considerc1425

perquirec1460

examec1480

peruse?1520

grounda1529

study1528

oversearch1532

perscrute1536

scrute1536

to go over ——1537

scan1548

examinate1560

rifle1566

to consider of1569

excuss1570

ripe1573

sift1573

sift1577

to pry into ——1581

dive1582

rub1591

explore1596

pervestigate1610

dissecta1631

profound1643

circumspect1667

scrutinize1671

perscrutatea1679

introspect1683

rummage1690

reconnoitre1740

scrutinate1742

to look through1744

scrutiny1755

parse1788

gun1819

cat-haul1840

vivisect1876

scour1882

microscope1888

tooth-comb1893

X-ray1896

comb1904

fine-tooth comb1949

1744 E. Young Complaint: Night the Sixth 35 Look Nature through, 'tis Revolution All.

1782 W. Cowper Conversation in Poems 250 Look human nature through.

1837 G. Redford Holy Script. Verified iv. 269 If we look the world through, we see that temperance, moderation, virtue, benevolence,..promote the health, long life, reputation, and felicity of men.

1887 Poultry Monthly (Albany, N.Y.) June 218/3 Look the history of the Light Brahmas, the Plymouth Rocks and Wyandottes through and see if there has been another trio of breeds that has held such popular positions.

1904 Watchman 28 Apr. 10/2 Look history through and you cannot duplicate Moses, Aaron, Joshua.

2. intransitive. To direct one's gaze through an opening or gap in a solid object, a window or other transparent body, an optical instrument, etc.In quot. 1600 figurative: to be visible or apparent through something. Cf. to look through —— 3 at Phrasal verbs 2.

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > visibility > be visible [verb (intransitive)] > appear or become visible

ariseOE

to come in (also to, on, etc.) placec1225

'peara1382

appear1382

kithea1400

to show out?a1425

muster?1435

to come forthc1449

to look outa1470

apparish1483

to show forth1487

come1531

to come out?1548

peer1568

to look through1573

glimpse1596

loom1605

rise1615

emicate1657

emike1657

present1664

opena1691

emerge1700

dawn1744

to come down the pike1812

to open out1813

to crop out1849

unmask1858

to come through1868

to show up1879

to come (etc.) out of thin air1932

surface1961

1573 G. Gascoigne Disc. Aduentures Master F. I. in Hundreth Sundrie Flowres 280 She poynting hir Maister to the keyhole, bad him looke through.

1600 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 2 iv. iii. 120 Th' incessant care..Hath wrought the Mure that should confine it in, So thin that life lookes through .

1645 S. Rutherford Tryal & Triumph of Faith i. 4 Christ doth but draw by a lap of the curtain of Separation, and look through to one beleeving Heathen.

1694 G. Tullie Disc. Govt. of Thoughts iii. 174 Look through at those things that lie within the Vail.

1794 ‘T. Telescope’ & ‘W. Magnet’ Newtonian Syst. Philos. (new ed.) ii. 18 You turn the long screw C on the side, while your eye is looking through at B.

1823 R. Bakewell Trav. Tarentaise II. vi. 245 On looking through, I was surprised to see a numerous group of figures..standing on the floor.

1887 J. Royce Feud of Oakfield Creek ix. 232 The telescope-rifle was passed round a little, and the major looked through, and said nothing.

1953 E. Wilkins & E. Kaiser tr. R. Musil Man without Qualities xliv. 213 If one looked through slantwise, one could see the General's gold sword-knot gleaming in a corner.

1996 C. Logue Sel. Poems 48 Now and again the sun looks through, glints off the mattocks as we pile the stones bigger than melons along the verge.

2008 New Yorker 1 Sept. 76/2 Having poked a hole in the acoustic tile so I could look through.

† to look under

Obsolete.

1. transitive. To cast (one's eyes) downward.

ΚΠ

1577 N. Breton Floorish vpon Fancie sig. M.i He hangs his lyppe, holds downe his head, & lookes vnder his eyes.

1606 N. Breton Choice, Chance, & Change sig. C4^v They would knit the browes, look vnder the Eies, stroke downe their beards.

2. intransitive. To look down.

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (intransitive)] > look down

to look downa1200

to look downward?a1425

to look downwards1550

to look under1622

1622 M. Drayton 2nd Pt. Poly-olbion xix. 4 Looke vnder, where the Vrnes of ancient times are found.

a1680 J. Glanvill Saducismus Triumphatus (1681) i. 102 I looked under and every where about, to see if there were any Dog or Cat, or any such Creature in the Room.

1700 J. Dryden Chaucer's Palamon & Arcite ii, in Fables 37 Thus pond'ring, he look'd under with his Eyes.

1720 J. Dennis Invader of his Country v. i. 64 Tribune, you must mistake, for I observ'd him Look under with his Eyes.

to look up

1. intransitive.

a. To raise the eyes, turn the face upward.

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (intransitive)] > look upwards

to look upeOE

uplooka1300

to lift (up) one's eyes, brow, face, visagea1400

upgaze1855

periscope1933

eOE Prose Charm: Against Elf-Sickness (Royal 12 D.xvii) in G. Storms Anglo-Saxon Magic (1948) 224 Gif hit biþ wæpnedman and locað up þonne þu hine ærest sceawast..þone mon þu meaht gelacnian.

OE Blickling Homilies 189 Locode þa up wið Simones.

c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 17423 He shollde sone lokenn upp. O þatt brasene neddre.

a1200 MS Trin. Cambr. in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1873) 2nd Ser. 173 Ðanne stondeð þo wreches..and lokeð up and dun and al abuten.

a1300 (c1275) Physiologus (1991) 128 Ne deme ðe noȝ[t] wurdi [emended in ed. to wurði] ðat tu dure loken Up to ðe heuene ward.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 21393 Constantin..lok up..He sagh þar cristis cros ful bright.

c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer Sir Thopas (Hengwrt) (2003) Prol. l. 8 Approche neer, and looke vp myrily.

1535 Bible (Coverdale) Psalms xl. 12 My synnes haue taken soch holde vpon me, that I am not able to loke vp.

1566 T. Becon New Postil i. f. 9 When these thynges begyn to come to passe, loke vp, and lyft vp your heades, be of good chere, and see that ye be mery.

1580 T. Lupton Siuqila 157 As hee loked vp a little, he espyed the poore man commyng on foote thitherward.

1609 W. Shakespeare Pericles ii. 60 How dares [sic] the plants looke vp to heauen, From whence they haue their nourishment?

1638 J. Milton Lycidas in Obsequies 23 in Justa Edouardo King The hungry sheep look up, and are not fed.

1710 R. Steele Tatler No. 231. ⁋2 The poor Cur looked up and wagged his Tail.

1741 Gentleman's Mag. Nov. 602/1 His friend look'd up, well pleas'd no doubt.

1782 W. Cowper tr. V. Bourne Jack Daw in W. Cowper Poems 337 Look up—your brains begin to swim.

1797 A. Radcliffe Italian I. iii. 105 She would still look up..with such doleful expression.

1855 Ld. Tennyson Brook in Maud & Other Poems 112 And he look'd up. There stood a maiden near.

1892 Longman's Mag. Jan. 247 She looked up from her writing.

1916 Munsey's Mag. July 289/2 She looked up over her spectacles, as Laura entered.

1963 ‘J. le Carré’ Spy who came in from Cold (1964) iv. 30 Miss Crail looked up sharply from her card index.

2012 D. Park Light of Amsterdam iii. 76 They looked up to see an illuminated Santa Claus climbing the chimney.

b. to look up to (occasionally †at).

(a) To raise one's eyes towards (God, heaven, etc.) in supplication or adoration. Also in extended use.

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (transitive)] > look up

to look up to1496

1496 Rote or Myrour Consolacyon & Conforte (de Worde) sig. Cvii After this grete punysshement he loked vp to heuen with the syght of his soule askynge mercy of god.

1561 T. Norton tr. J. Calvin Inst. Christian Relig. iii. f. 252^v We should learne to tremble at his iudgement, & reuerently to loke vp to his mercie.

1587 E. Hake Oration conteyning Expostulation sig. A4 In these earthly descending bodies there are implanted heauenly ascending myndes, wherewith you might looke vp to your maker.

1626 F. Bacon New Atlantis 7 in Sylua Syluarum Let vs looke vp to God, and euery man reforme his owne wayes.

1673 J. Bunyan Def. Doctr. Justif. 50 This Man's Righteousness is made over to him, that looks up to him for Life.

1719 D. Defoe Life Robinson Crusoe 261 I had..been moved my self to look up to Heaven, and to seek to the Hand that had brought me there.

1794 C. Pigott Female Jockey Club 141 Are these the patriots, to whom England was to look up for Salvation?

1849 G. B. Cheever Hill Diffic. ii. 177 The more you are in the habit of looking up to God before you go to church, the more you will see of God in the preacher.

1892 W. R. Alger Sources of Consol. ii. 141 Affectionate and humble suppliants..look up to heaven.

1922 I. T. Jones Is there God? ii. 56 Without a petition upon his lips, merely with a yearning soul, he looks up to God.

2004 C. Samartin Broken Paradise (2007) ii. 13 The depiction of Jesus hanging with his arms outstretched as he looked up to heaven, asking God to forgive all the sinners.

(b) To have a great deal of respect for, to admire, venerate.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > respect > [verb (transitive)]

followOE

honourc1275

regard1526

to take off one's hat1571

respect1576

to see unto ——1579

suspect1590

honestate1623

defer1686

consider1692

to look up to1719

to have no (a lot of, etc.) time for1938

1719 Free-thinker No. 157. 2 These Three Ladies..look up to him, as their Patron and Defender.

1766 R. Griffith & E. Griffith Lett. Henry & Frances III. 100 The rest seem to look up at you, as of an higher Order of Intelligence.

1843 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 4 i. 210 Sweden looks up to British agriculture as the model for imitation.

1881 S. R. Gardiner & J. B. Mullinger Introd. Study Eng. Hist. i. x. 178 In Pitt England had at last found the man to whom it could look up.

1921 E. von Arnim Vera iv. 38 He had Lucy and her aunt as trusting friends who looked up to him, who had no doubts of him and no criticisms.

1958 Life 14 Apr. 127/1 Although Hitler and his Nazis had been wiped out years before, we still looked up to them as the meanest bops in history.

2006 V. Vinge Rainbow's End xv. 164 Amazing the thrill it was to have someone look up to him.

2. transitive.

a. To seek, search for. Now rare.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > endeavour > searching or seeking > search for or seek [verb (transitive)]

seekc888

aseekc1000

i-secheOE

huntc1175

to seek afterc1175

beseechc1200

fand?c1225

ofseche?c1225

to seek forc1250

atseekc1275

furiec1290

forseeka1300

outseekc1300

upseekc1315

to look after ——c1330

wait1340

laita1350

searchc1350

pursuea1382

ensearchc1384

to feel and findc1384

inseekc1384

looka1398

fraist?a1400

umseeka1400

require?c1400

walec1400

to look up1468

prowla1475

to see for ——c1485

to look for ——a1492

to have in the wind1540

sue1548

vent?1575

seek1616

explore1618

dacker1634

research1650

to see out for1683

quest1752

to see after ——1776

1468 J. Paston in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) I. 399 Þe obligacion of the Bisshop of Norwychys oblygacion, I neuer sye it þat I remembre, wherfore I wolde and prey my modre to loke it vp.

1472 J. Paston in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) I. 447 I..praye yow to loke vppe my Temple off Glasse, and sende it me by the berer heroff.

1589 J. Bate Portraiture of Hypocrisie 29 A vigilant shephearde, that hath care to look vp the lost sheepe of Israel.

1636 Earl of Manchester in Buccleuch MSS (Hist. MSS Comm.) (1899) I. 276 It will be best for every one to..look up the exemptions they have.

1669 in Plymouth Col. Rec. (1856) V. 28 The Court haue ordered that..the said Winge be required to looke vp the said Indian, and bringe him..before some one of the majestrates.

1788 Sessions Papers 9 Jan. 159/1 My witnesses are not come, and I have not had an opportunity to look them up.

1861 T. Hughes Tom Brown at Oxf. I. iv. 61 He was..a sort of boating nurse, who looked-up and trained the young oars.

1894 Ld. Wolseley Life Marlborough I. xxxvii. 278 Hearing of some rebels in the neighbourhood of Taunton, he sent a small party of Oxford's regiment to look them up.

1905 Secret Service 10 Nov. 27/2 ‘Where do you suppose they can have gone to?’ ‘We shall have to look them up.’

b. In early use: †to consult (a book, source of information, etc.) (obsolete). In later use: to search for (an item of information), or seek information concerning (a person or thing), in a book or database, on the internet, etc.

ΘΚΠ

society > communication > reading > [verb (transitive)] > find in a book or paper

looklOE

to look out?1496

to turn to ——1568

to look upa1632

to turn up1710

to turn out1834

the mind > attention and judgement > discovery > research > find out by investigation [verb (transitive)] > by consulting sources

looklOE

seek?a1500

to look upa1632

consulta1634

trawl1906

scan1926

screen1942

a1632 T. Middleton & J. Webster Any Thing for Quiet Life (1662) ii. sig. C2 I will look up some Writings, and return presently.

1692 A. Wood Life & Times (1894) III. 396 They decided to look up it [sc. Wood's Athenæ Oxonienses].., to see what I said of the Presbyterians and Independents.

1865 J. S. Mill Exam. Hamilton's Philos. 458 I have only looked up the authorities nearest at hand.

1876 C. M. Yonge Womankind vi. 44 She had better look the definitions up at the beginning of the books of Euclid.

1890 G. M. Fenn Double Knot I. iii. 113 I have been looking up the Glens. Not a bad family, but a younger branch.

1913 A. J. Rees Merry Marauders ix. 149 'Strooth! he's looked up all our lines.

1976 ‘J. Charlton’ Remington Set iii. 18 I wish I had a book somewhere I could look up police procedure in.

2003 R. Herring Talking Cock 230 I looked it up on the Internet.

†3. intransitive. To cheer up, take courage, be cheerful. Obsolete.Apparently only in Shakespeare.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > pleasure > cheerfulness > be cheerful [verb (intransitive)] > become cheerful or cheer up

cheer?1553

to look up1600

come1607

to cheer up1620

exhilarate1620

brighten1692

to come to1765

to come about1775

spurk1823

to hearten up1834

to buck up1844

chirk1844

pearten1851

to come around1853

to liven up1863

to chipper up1867

lighten1873

pep1910

to lighten up1911

1600 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 2 iv. iii. 113 My soueraigne Lord, cheere vp your selfe, look vp.

1604 W. Shakespeare Hamlet iii. iii. 50 Then I'le looke vp. My fault is past.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Winter's Tale (1623) v. i. 214 Deare, looke vp.

†4. intransitive. Of a plant: to emerge from the ground. Obsolete. rare.

ΘΚΠ

the world > plants > by growth or development > grow or vegetate [verb (intransitive)] > show above the ground

peep1593

to look up1657

1657 R. Ligon True Hist. Barbados 98 If it be suffer'd to look up in a Garden, it will wind about all Herbs and Plants that have stalks.

5. intransitive. Nautical. Of a vessel: to hold closely to the intended course while sailing to windward. Frequently in to look up to windward.

ΚΠ

1779 Proc. Court-martial on Trial Admiral Keppel 102/1 After the Red division had passed the rear of the enemy, when the division tacked, did not they look up to windward of the rear of the enemy?

1816 Naval Chron. 35 404 The ship drifted very fast..; and although she looked up near to the southeast, I readily saw there was no possibility of our weathering the Head.

1853 Cruise Challenger Life-boat 37 The main-lug was close reefed and set, and the boat looked up better.

1905 W. C. Russell Yarn Old Harbour Town (1906) ix. 228 She'll look up to windward, or hold her course when the Minorca is falling points off.

1964 Motor Boating Apr. 179/1 She won't look up to windward and the competition is slipping over the horizon.

1970 J. Leather Gaff Rig xiv. 203/1 It is a popular belief that a yawl's mizzen is only a steering sail to make her ‘look up into the wind’.

6. intransitive. In early use Stock Market: (of a commodity) to increase in value. Later more generally (chiefly in progressive tenses): to have a more favourable prospect; to improve. Often in business is looking up, things are looking up.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > improvement > [verb (intransitive)] > improve or grow better

betterOE

goodOE

risec1175

mend1546

meliorize1598

to mend one's hand1611

improve1642

meliorate1655

brighten1659

ameliorate1728

to look up1806

to tone up1881

raise1898

graduate1916

to shape up1938

1806 R. Cochrane Let. 6 Jan. in Papers of John Steele (1924) I. 461 One cause why it has been so low at this market was the scarsity of salt; our river is now full enough for Boats to run, I think the Article will look up.

1822 Examiner 17 Nov. 725/1 Foreign Securities are generally looking up.

1835 Tait's Edinb. Mag. New Ser. 2 211 The Radicals are, to use a mercantile phrase, looking up.

1884 G. Allen Philistia I. xi. 303 Trade is looking up.

1904 Westm. Gaz. 29 Dec. 9/1 Industrial affairs among the Patlanders would seem to be looking up.

1967 Listener 7 Sept. 316/2 Things are looking up on ITV, except on farmer-and-B-film-haunted Southern.

2012 J. Charbonneau Skating on Edge xv. 184 Business was looking up.

7. transitive. colloquial. To visit or contact (a person), esp. for the first time or after loss of contact.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > social event > visit > visiting > visit [verb (transitive)]

seekc893

visit13..

vizyc1425

to go to (also and) see1548

to call upon ——1604

calla1616

paya1616

vis1754

to look up1827

to visit with1850

1827 P. Egan Anecd. Turf 182 She ‘looked him up’ as if by accident.

1885 Illustr. London News 21 Feb. 208/3 So do look me up..and you will be most welcome.

1915 W. S. Maugham Of Human Bondage xlix. 249 I'll try and come over to Paris again one of these days and I'll look you up. And then we won't 'alf go on the razzle.

1968 J. Sangster Touchfeather xiii. 140 He said if I was ever in Los Angeles to look him up.

2002 Outside Oct. 124/1 Adario suggests that I look them up before the pistoleiros do.

8. transitive. British colloquial. To watch closely; to keep an eye on. Now rare.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > vigilance > keeping watch > keep watch on [verb (transitive)]

biwitieOE

to look to ——c1330

watchc1330

to make or lay await onc1386

markc1400

to wait to ——c1440

to keep (also have) an (or one's) eye on (also upon)a1450

waken1535

to look unto ——1594

to carry a wary (also watchful, etc.) eye on (also upon)1596

to look after ——a1616

overwatch1618

snokea1652

to look up1855

surveil1960

1855 A. Marsh Heiress of Haughton II. 52 Phillips is new to his place, remember;—you must look him up, if he is careless.

1862 Mrs. H. Wood Channings II. 235 A pretty time o' day this is to deliver the letters!.. You letter-men want looking up.

1922 E. J. Evans Building Contracts xxiii. 105 Some foremen are not particularly strong on this point and need looking up occasionally.

to look up and down

transitive. To scrutinize (esp. a person) carefully or appraisingly.

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (intransitive)] > scrutinize

to look up1841

1841 Standard 4 Aug. He..looked her up and down, and said she was like his former wife.

1893 Strand Mag. 6 125/2 People looked her up and down.

1907 Pall Mall Mag. Aug. 253/1 When it [sc. a railway truck] was cut adrift at Hedly the shunter looked it up and down, and concluded it was normal.

1927 D. Hammett in Black Mask Nov. 21/2 He..looked me up and down, growled: ‘So you're a lousy gum-shoe.’

1973 E. Caldwell Annette (1974) i. ii. 11 Doan was boldly looking her up and down..and intently inspecting her slender, rounded figure as if making an expert appraisal of her body completely unclothed.

2005 M. M. Frisby Wifebeater xxvi. 184 She kind of rolled her eyes and looked me up and down.

† to look upon

Obsolete.

intransitive. = to look on 1a at Phrasal verbs 1.

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (intransitive)] > look on or spectate

to look onOE

to look upona1470

to keep the ring1798

to play the gallery1870

spectate1929

a1470 T. Malory Morte Darthur (Winch. Coll. 13) (1990) II. 505 And yf thy harte woll nat serve the, stonde by and loke uppon!

1542 N. Udall in tr. Erasmus Apophthegmes ii. f. 260 (note) He might not stand and looke vpon whyle a liue manne wer toren piece mele.

1609 W. Shakespeare Troilus & Cressida v. vi. 10 Aiax Ile fight with him alone stand Diomed. Diom. He is my prize, I will not looke vpon. Troy. Come both you cogging Greekes haue at you both.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 3 (1623) ii. iii. 27 Whiles the Foe doth..looke vpon, as if the Tragedie Were plaid in iest, by counterfetting Actors.

PV2. With prepositions in specialized senses. to look about ——

1. intransitive. With objective pronoun used reflexively. to look about one: to turn one's gaze or attention to one's surroundings; to consider or take account of one's situation and circumstances; to be vigilant.

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see or look [verb (reflexive)] > look around

belookc1230

to look about ——c1300

umbeholda1400

umblooka1400

umheeda1400

the world > action or operation > manner of action > care, carefulness, or attention > caution > be cautious [verb (reflexive)]

umbelooka1300

umseea1400

to look about ——1562

c1300 (?c1225) King Horn (Cambr.) (1901) l. 1081 (MED) He lokede him abute [Laud loked al aboute, a1350 Harl. lokede aboute] Wiþ his colmie snute.

?a1425 Mandeville's Trav. (Egerton) (1889) 87 Sum of þam..er lukand douneward to þe erthe and will noȝt luke aboute þam.

1484 W. Caxton tr. Subtyl Historyes & Fables Esope v. v Whanne the catte was vpon a tree he loked aboute hym and sawe how the dogges [etc.].

1562 T. Cooper Answere Def. Truth Pref. sig. E1^v, in Apol. Priuate Masse A man maye thinke they had good cause to startle at the matter, and somewhat to loke aboute them, leste they seemed altogether carelesse.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Taming of Shrew (1623) i. ii. 138 Master, master, looke about you: Who goes there? ha.

1666 G. Harvey Morbus Anglicus vii. 36 If upon these Signs you find a wasting of your flesh, then look about you.

1712 J. Arbuthnot Law is Bottomless-pit xii. 21 John began to think it high time to look about him.

1741 J. Ozell tr. P. de B. de Brantôme Spanish Rhodomontades 104 [They] had found the Enemy upon them, before they could look about 'em.

1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. ii. 173 At length he returned; and, without having a single week to look about him,..he was at once set to rule the state.

1891 Strand Mag. 2 482/1 He looked about him anxiously.

1911 Harper's Mag. Apr. 772/2 In the midst of this angry justifying of herself,..she stopped suddenly and looked about her.

1967 T. Wilder Eighth Day ii. 238 He rose and looked about him wildly.

2010 T. McCarthy C (2011) 219 He looks about him, embarrassed, before remembering that there's no one else around.

2. intransitive. To gaze around, survey (a room, etc.). Also: To survey one's surroundings while walking or moving around (a place) (now somewhat archaic).

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (transitive)] > survey

supervidec1475

to look about ——1489

lustre1541

supervise1541

surview1567

surveyc1595

lustrate1623

resurvey1726

rake1848

1489 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (Adv.) iii. 579 Men mycht se mony frely fute About ye cost, yar lukand.

1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 614/1 I loke aboute the contraye, je pourjecte le pais.

1548 Hall's Vnion: Richard III f. xxviij [He] leapte out of his bed and loked about the chambre.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Othello (1622) ii. iii. 249 Iago, looke with care about the Towne.

1696 Arraignm., Tryal, & Condemnation P. Cooke 49 Did you look about the Room to see whether there were any new Company?

1789 R. Cumberland Arundel I. xxii. 134 When I awaked I looked about the room, and hardly could persuade myself it was illusion.

1817 A. Plumptre Narr. Resid. in Ireland during Summer 1814 ii. 7 We had intended stopping a day to look about the town.

1886 F. H. Burnett Little Ld. Fauntleroy iv. 71 He looked about the broad hall, at the pictures and stags' antlers and curious things that ornamented it.

1904 Jrnl. Philos., Psychol. & Sci. Methods 1 401 I began to wonder where I could have seen the name, and looked about the desk.

1966 J. J. Phillips Mojo Hand 153 Mr. Talbert rubbed his hands again and looked about the room.

1997 J. Ryan Dismantling Mr Doyle x. 135 He looked about the place, calmed by how everything was as it always was.

to look after ——

1. intransitive. To follow with the eye; to look in the direction of (a departing person or thing). Also: †to observe the course or path of (a person or thing) (obsolete).In quot. 1858 figurative.

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (transitive)] > watch or observe > follow with eyes

to look after ——OE

followa1393

suea1398

pursue1558

tracea1701

to watch after1850

OE Blickling Homilies 121 Þa hie þa in þone heofon locodan æfter him, & hie Drihten gesawon upastigendne.

c1330 (?a1300) Arthour & Merlin (Auch.) (1973) l. 2377 Ac al þai loked swiþe ȝerne After Tintagel and Ygerne.

1535 Bible (Coverdale) Exod. xxxiii. 8 All the people rose vp,..and loked after Moses, tyll he was gone in to the Tabernacle.

1580 Sir P. Sidney tr. Psalmes David xxxvii. vii Thou shalt see The wicked by his own pride banisht; Looke after him, he shall be vanisht.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 2 (1623) iii. i. 219 My selfe bewayles good Glosters case With sad vnhelpefull teares, and with dimn'd eyes; Looke after him, and cannot doe him good.

1679 Earl of Castlemaine Eng. Globe vi. xii. 138 If you look after any particular Star..you are sure he is..in a Declining state.

1751 S. Whatley England's Gazetteer at Coventry No body looked after her [sc. Godiva]; yet 'tis said elsewhere, that a poor taylor would needs be peeping.

1850 C. Dickens David Copperfield li. 523 As I looked after his figure,..I saw him turn his face towards a strip of silvery light upon the sea.

1858 H. Bushnell Serm. for New Life xii. 234 His soul still looking covertly after the goods she has lost.

1944 B. Wilder & C. Brackett Lost Weekend (2000) 22 (stage direct.) They both look after Don.

1987 A. Brookner Friend from Eng. iv. 76 I left him..standing on the stairs and looking after me.

2006 S. M. Stirling Sky People xii. 262 The beast hesitated and swung his head left, looking after his herd-mates.

2. intransitive.

a. To seek, search for. Now regional or colloquial.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > endeavour > searching or seeking > search for or seek [verb (transitive)]

seekc888

aseekc1000

i-secheOE

huntc1175

to seek afterc1175

beseechc1200

fand?c1225

ofseche?c1225

to seek forc1250

atseekc1275

furiec1290

forseeka1300

outseekc1300

upseekc1315

to look after ——c1330

wait1340

laita1350

searchc1350

pursuea1382

ensearchc1384

to feel and findc1384

inseekc1384

looka1398

fraist?a1400

umseeka1400

require?c1400

walec1400

to look up1468

prowla1475

to see for ——c1485

to look for ——a1492

to have in the wind1540

sue1548

vent?1575

seek1616

explore1618

dacker1634

research1650

to see out for1683

quest1752

to see after ——1776

c1330 (?c1300) Speculum Guy (Auch.) (1898) 786 (MED) Tweye manere shame men fint in boke, Who-so wole þerafter loke.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 11086 (MED) Þenne loked aftir sir Zakary Tables & poyntel tyte.

c1449 R. Pecock Repressor (1860) 77 Such that his suer trouthe is not lokid aftir neither souȝt after.

1549 M. Coverdale et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. II. Heb. ix. f. xv^v Wherefore there is not why the worlde shoulde loke after an other priest, or an other sacrifice to pourge synnes.

1579 T. North tr. Plutarch Liues 241 Martius..cried out on them, that it was no time now to looke after spoyle.

a1645 W. Browne tr. M. Le Roy Hist. Polexander (1647) ii. i. 174 We must leave him to his liberty,..and not looke after a remedy for those maladies which are not capable of any.

1699 A. Boyer Royal Dict. (at cited word) To look after (to seek) a thing, Chercher quelque chose.

1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 120. ¶1 He has caught me twice or thrice looking after a Bird's Nest.

1793 J. O'Keeffe London Hermit i. 4 Old Pranks. So, you've pick'd up the mocusses in the Indies!.. Never look'd after me. Whimmy. I ask'd every body after you.

1859 W. Collins Queen of Hearts III. 64 Mr. Dark and myself set forth to look after him from Darrock Hall.

1868 C. Jay Law xviii. 199 They looked after him for a long time, but could not find him.

1918 ‘B. MacNamara’ Valley of Squinting Windows xi. 66 Oh, looking after fresh girls always, the same as his father.

1985 Sat. Night Feb. 37/3 He looking after his papers for coming up here.

†b. To require, demand (a quality or attribute). Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > will > necessity > condition of being necessary > need or want > need [verb (transitive)] > require or demand

askOE

willa1225

requirec1425

crave1576

desire1577

exact1592

solicit1592

wish1600

postulate1605

expect1615

to look after ——a1616

seek1656

demand1748

a1616 W. Shakespeare Othello (1622) ii. i. 247 The knaue..hath all those requisites in him that folly and green mindes look after .

1695 J. Locke Some Thoughts conc. Educ. (new ed.) §94. 162 There is yet another Reason, why Politeness of Manners, and Knowledge of the World should principally be look'd after in a Tutor.

1822 S. T. Coleridge Lett., Conversat., & Recoll. (1836) II. 98 Those marks which too frequently are overlooked,..but which ought to be looked for and looked after, by every woman who has ever reflected on the words ‘my future Husband’.

†3. intransitive. To anticipate, expect; to look forward to. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > expectation > expect [verb (transitive)]

weenOE

weenc1000

thinklOE

lookc1225

hopec1330

trusta1387

wait onc1390

supposea1393

to wait after ——1393

to look after ——c1400

thinkc1480

attend1483

suppone1490

expect1535

to expect for1538

aspect1548

respect1549

look1560

ween1589

attend1591

propose1594

await1608

to presume on, upon, or of1608

to look forwards1637

prospect1652

to look for ——a1677

augur1678

anticipate1749

to look to ——1782

spect1839

contemplate1841–8

to look forward1848

eye1979

c1400 (?a1387) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Huntington HM 137) (1873) C. iv. l. 249 Þe lest lad þat longeþ to hym..Lokeþ after lordshep oþer oþere large mede.

c1400 (c1378) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Laud 581) (1869) B. xii. l. 181 (MED) Þere þe lewed lith stille and loketh after lente.

1477 J. Paston in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) I. 504 He lokyth afftre þat ye sholde com see hym.

1482 W. Cely Let. 29 Apr. in Cely Lett. (1975) 144 My Lorde Chamberleyn ys at Dower, and they loke afftyr hym at Calys at euery tyde.

1533 J. Gau tr. C. Pedersen Richt Vay 37 Ve lwik efter ane blissit hop and the glorious cuming of the greit God.

a1555 N. Ridley in N. Ridley & H. Latimer Certein Conf. (1556) sig. E^v Hitherunto ye se..howe I haue in wordes onely made..a florishe before the fighte which I shortelie looke after.

1611 Bible (King James) Luke xxi. 26. Mens hearts failing them for feare, and for looking after those things which are comming on the earth.

1700 J. Howe Disc. Unconverted Man's Enmity God 15 Sometimes think of him, as merciless, and irreconcilable; and therefore, never look after being reconciled to him.

1764 J. Stronge Providential Hist. Mankind Opened xiii. 423 The bulk of the Jewish nation..have followed false teachers, leading them..to look after a fictitious or an imaginary Saviour.

4. intransitive.

a. To tend to, take care of; esp. to provide for the welfare of (a person, animal, etc.).

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > care, protection, or charge > care for, protect, or have charge of [verb (transitive)] > take care of or look after

yknowOE

knowlOE

to care forc1230

bihedec1250

beseec1300

to look to ——c1300

seea1325

await1393

observea1425

procurea1425

to look after ——1487

to take (also have) regard to (or of)a1500

regard1526

to see after ——1544

to look unto ——1545

attendc1572

to take care of1579

curea1618

tend1631

to look over ——1670

1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) iv. 616 Eftir the fyre he lukit fast.

1590 J. Eliot tr. J. de L'Espine Sicke-mans Comfort 145 The care that he had to looke after them [sc. goods], woulde not suffer him to haue anie leasure.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Twelfth Night (1623) i. v. 131 He's in the third degree of drinke: hee's drown'd: go looke after him.

1670 N. W. tr. W. Franz Hist. Brutes xxxiv. 251 Thales..advised them, that all who looked after horses should be married men.

1737 H. Bracken Farriery Improved xliv. 581 The many Boys I have had to look after my Horses.

1770 Gentleman's Mag. Jan. 43/2 As many sheep as may be looked after by one person.

1833 H. Martineau Brooke & Brooke Farm (ed. 3) i. 2 To meet the master looking after his fruit-trees.

1885 ‘F. Anstey’ Tinted Venus 30 The person who ‘looked after him’ did not sleep on the premises.

1942 D. Powell Time to be Born (1943) x. 245 ‘What'll we do if he passes out in your place?’ Corinne asked. ‘I'll look after him,’ said Vicky.

1973 Jerusalem Post 10 Dec. 8/3 The kindness of some of the jailers who washed and looked after him when he was too weak to take care of himself.

2010 P. O'Grady Devil rides Out xii. 226 My next assignment as a peripatetic was looking after a girl and her three brothers while their mother went into hospital for a hysterectomy.

b. To have as one's business or concern; to give consideration to; to manage, administer.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > manner of action > care, carefulness, or attention > take care about [verb (transitive)] > attend to or cultivate

minda1400

intend1429

to look after ——1542

cultivate1654

1542 T. Becon New Pollecye of Warre sig. D.viii If thou dyddest know..those thynges whiche belong vnto thy peace, surely thou wouldest be more diligent to looke after them.

1596 T. Nashe Haue with you to Saffron-Walden sig. S3 Let them that haue the Commission for the Concealments looke after it, or the Man in the Moone put for it.

1662 E. Stillingfleet Origines Sacræ ii. vii. 209 God himself did dispense with the strict ceremoniall precepts of the Law, where men did look after the main and substantial parts of the worship God required from them.

a1699 A. Halkett Autobiogr. (1875) 73 Goe to Edinburgh to looke affter my concerne.

1701 W. Wotton Hist. Rome i. 430 He could not look after his Sons' Education.

1774 G. Colman Man of Business ii. 25 I had better go up to the Alley, and look after the business myself.

1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. ix. 536 Under pretence of looking after the election, Clarendon set out for the West.

1891 Law Times 91 32/2 In theory, no doubt, the investor should look after his own interests.

1948 C. Rice Big Midget Murders xxxii. 269 Who was closer to the midget than Allswell McJackson, who stooged for him in his act,..and looked after his accounts?

2005 Sunday Mail (Brisbane) 5 June (Homefront section) 9/1 Owner-builders..look after the co-ordinating and contracting roles normally undertaken by the builder.

5. intransitive. To watch closely, keep an eye on. Now rare.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > vigilance > keeping watch > keep watch on [verb (transitive)]

biwitieOE

to look to ——c1330

watchc1330

to make or lay await onc1386

markc1400

to wait to ——c1440

to keep (also have) an (or one's) eye on (also upon)a1450

waken1535

to look unto ——1594

to carry a wary (also watchful, etc.) eye on (also upon)1596

to look after ——a1616

overwatch1618

snokea1652

to look up1855

surveil1960

a1616 W. Shakespeare Measure for Measure (1623) i. ii. 132 Is Lechery so look'd after ?

1672 C. Manners in 12th Rep. Royal Comm. Hist. MSS (1890) App. v. 25 Our Navy puts out again to sea..and wee shall then looke after the Holland Indian fleete.

1821 Examiner 742/1 The police look after all breaches of the peace.

1937 R. Lowry in New Statesman & Nation 28 Aug. 307/1 I observe that the Agricultural Workers' Union is fighting hard to get nurserymen of the market-garden variety..to pay a decent living wage, but the plant, tree and shrub nurseryman also pays low wages and needs looking after.

to look against ——

intransitive. To look at or into (something which impedes vision in some way, esp. by dazzling the eyes).

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (transitive)] > look at or behold

to look to ——eOE

showeOE

lookeOE

lookOE

behold971

beseec1000

seeOE

to see on ——OE

yseeOE

belookc1175

to look against ——c1225

to lay eyes onc1230

biwaita1250

holde1303

aseea1325

to see upon ——a1350

rewardc1350

to look of ——?c1400

eyea1425

visage1450

aviewa1513

gove1513

regard1523

to look unto ——1545

respect1567

survise1600

aspect1610

reflect1611

inspeculate1694

spectate1709

to look for ——1786

deek1825

lookit1908

lamp1916

eOE King Ælfred tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. (Otho) (2009) I. xxvii. 511 Þu wast þæt þa men þe habbað unhale eagan ne magon full eaðe locian ongean þa sunnan þonne hio beortost scinð.]

c1225 (?c1200) St. Katherine (Bodl.) (1981) 581 Swuch leome ant liht leitede þrinne, þet ne mahten ha nawt loki þear aȝeines.

a1450 York Plays (1885) 377 (MED) No man on molde was so myghty Grathely to loke agaynste þat light.

1528 T. Paynell tr. Arnaldus de Villa Nova in Joannes de Mediolano Regimen Sanitatis Salerni sig. Y.iij^v To loke agaynst the sonne: and that is through the vehement splendour and bryghtenes therof: wherby the syghte is distroyed.

1590 Tarltons Newes out of Purgatorie 31 Certaine feathers..which were long and large, of the colour of golde, and were so bright as scarce one could looke against them.

1602 W. Shakespeare Merry Wives of Windsor ii. ii. 234 She is too bright to be looked Against.

1699 G. Harvey Vanities Philos. & Physick xii. 145 Colours..make a Pressure upon the External Tunick of the Eye..which is very perceptible to those, that look against the Light of the Sun.

1756 J. Bate Enq. Similitudes Lord God 224 To labour for Evasion hurts the Mind, as much as looking against the Sun does the Eyes.

1770 A. Young Six Months Tour N. Eng. III. xvii. 181 To the east, you look against a very fine bank of inclosures, most elegantly scattered with trees.

1826 T. Hood Sea-spell in Whims & Oddities 135 The boatman look'd against the wind.

1894 L. Hearn Glimpses Unfamiliar Japan I. vi. 124 I find myself sometimes looking against the horizon glow for shapes of palms and ceibas.

1920 Hunter Trader Trapper Oct. 117/2 (advt.) Ray filter for looking against sun.

1991 M. C. Gilfillan Moods of Ohio Moons 43 I would roam these wet woods for long days,..looking against the bright sky until severe headache forced me from the woods.

† to look beside ——

Obsolete.

intransitive. To overlook, disregard, fail to see.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > inattention > ignoring, disregard > ignore [verb (intransitive)]

overhipa1325

to hide one's facea1382

to look aside1530

to look beside ——1533

not to hear on that side1548

to look through the fingers1549

to pull away the shoulder1560

connive1602

to turn a (also the) blind eye1698

to bury (or hide) one's head in the sand1844

Nelson eye1893

not to want to know1948

1533 tr. Erasmus Enchiridion Militis Christiani sig. b.iij^v He..dyd in a maner wynke and loke besyde them [L. ad ea conniveat].

1612 Bp. J. Hall Contempl. I. i. 27 This..hath no more power to look beside Heauen, then to tread beside the earth.

1689 J. Jeffery Relig. Perfection of Man Pref. p. viii Substances we continually see, and cannot look beside them.

1776 J. H. Langley Sacred Hymns cxiv. 126 Ah! my simple foolish Heart, That thou shouldst ever..look beside the Way.

to look for ——

1. intransitive. To seek, search for.to look for a needle in a bottle of hay: see needle n. 1d. to look for a needle in a haystack: see needle n. 1d. to look for trouble: see trouble n. 5.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > endeavour > searching or seeking > search for or seek [verb (transitive)]

seekc888

aseekc1000

i-secheOE

huntc1175

to seek afterc1175

beseechc1200

fand?c1225

ofseche?c1225

to seek forc1250

atseekc1275

furiec1290

forseeka1300

outseekc1300

upseekc1315

to look after ——c1330

wait1340

laita1350

searchc1350

pursuea1382

ensearchc1384

to feel and findc1384

inseekc1384

looka1398

fraist?a1400

umseeka1400

require?c1400

walec1400

to look up1468

prowla1475

to see for ——c1485

to look for ——a1492

to have in the wind1540

sue1548

vent?1575

seek1616

explore1618

dacker1634

research1650

to see out for1683

quest1752

to see after ——1776

a1492 W. Caxton tr. Vitas Patrum (1495) ii. f. ccxlii^v/2 The fende..in spyeng & lokyng for [Fr. en espiant & regardant] an houre conuenyent and necessary for to deceyue hym, presented vnto hym the syght of a yonge doughter full fayre.

1578 J. Rolland Seuin Seages 144 For ane new lufe but dout sone ȝe wald luik.

1586 G. Whitney Choice of Emblemes To Rdr. sig. **3^v A pearle shall not bee looked for in a poore mans purce.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Merry Wives of Windsor (1623) iii. i. 3 Which way haue you look'd for Master Caius.

1677 A. Behn Rover iv. iii. 61 She was looking for something in a great Chest.

1700 F. Atterbury Rights Eng. Convocation vii. 313 He has discover'd a Record (where indeed one would hardly look for it) in a Dictionary.

1768 A. Tucker Light of Nature Pursued II. i. v. 110 We must look for some other property in body rendring it perceivable, and this we may call perceptibility.

1861 G. W. Dasent tr. Story Burnt Njal I. ix. 31 He had best look for a wife.

1892 Black & White 26 Nov. 609/2 Caroline went to look for her a few hours afterwards.

1920 M. Gyte Diary 6 Jan. (1999) 247 When the horses came into the yard this morning, the grey mare was not with them. Vincent went to look for her and found her in a mine hole.

1951 R. Campbell Light on Dark Horse 246 My favourite brother George..breezed in to look for me.

2001 R. Joshi Last Jet Engine Laugh (2002) 322 Anirban slaps his kurta pockets, looking for cigarettes and matches.

2. intransitive. To expect, anticipate; to hope for; to be on the lookout for.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > expectation > expectation, waiting > wait for, await [verb (transitive)] > an event or opportunity

waita1400

to look for ——a1500

observe1541

watch1578

watch1831

the mind > mental capacity > expectation > expect [verb (transitive)]

weenOE

weenc1000

thinklOE

lookc1225

hopec1330

trusta1387

wait onc1390

supposea1393

to wait after ——1393

to look after ——c1400

thinkc1480

attend1483

suppone1490

expect1535

to expect for1538

aspect1548

respect1549

look1560

ween1589

attend1591

propose1594

await1608

to presume on, upon, or of1608

to look forwards1637

prospect1652

to look for ——a1677

augur1678

anticipate1749

to look to ——1782

spect1839

contemplate1841–8

to look forward1848

eye1979

the mind > mental capacity > expectation > hope > hope for [verb (transitive)]

hopec1000

trow1340

trust1523

to wait after ——1534

lot1633

to look for ——1828

a1500 Craft of Dying (Harl. 1706) f. 27/1 Hys welbeloued and trusti frende and a felow that he hadde longe abyde and loked fore [v.r. after; L. expectat].

1513 Queen Katherine in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eng. Hist. (1846) 3rd Ser. I. 153 The Scotts being soo besy..and I lokyng for my departing every houre.

1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry V f. xlvij Informed by his espialles that the daie of battaill was nerer then he loked for.

1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 21 Into England, where he was sooner arryued than he was looked for.

1611 Bible (King James) Matt. xi. 3 Art thou hee that should come? Or doe wee looke for another?

a1677 J. Taylor Contempl. State Man (1684) i. vii. 80 Death steals..upon us, when we least look for it.

1756 C. Lucas Ess. Waters i. 121 We may look for the residuum..to be in general very compound.

1780 S. J. Pratt Emma Corbett I. xiv. 38 Louisa will look for you by ten o'clock.

1828 Examiner 403/1 We must not look for figs from brambles.

1887 E. F. Byrrne Heir without Heritage I. iii. 56 I look for you to join us.

1914 St. Nicholas Oct. 1068/2 When Crawford or Baker faces me, I look for him to simply wallop the ball.

1969 G. Friel Grace & Miss Partridge v. 75 She looked for him to make some advance, willing to help him at the least sign of one, but he was handless, taking his own time.

2002 Courier June 18/2 ‘Customer Focus’, ‘Time Management’, ‘Communication skills’, ‘Organisational Skills’ are all things future employers are looking for you to demonstrate.

3. intransitive. colloquial and regional. To look at, observe. rare.

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (transitive)] > look at or behold

to look to ——eOE

showeOE

lookeOE

lookOE

behold971

beseec1000

seeOE

to see on ——OE

yseeOE

belookc1175

to look against ——c1225

to lay eyes onc1230

biwaita1250

holde1303

aseea1325

to see upon ——a1350

rewardc1350

to look of ——?c1400

eyea1425

visage1450

aviewa1513

gove1513

regard1523

to look unto ——1545

respect1567

survise1600

aspect1610

reflect1611

inspeculate1694

spectate1709

to look for ——1786

deek1825

lookit1908

lamp1916

1786 R. Burns Poems & Songs (1968) I. 156 Nell's heart was dancin, at the view; She whisper'd Rob to leuk for't.

1926 J. Black You can't Win xv. 196 We journeyed through Nevada..looking for the scenery.

to look inside ——

intransitive. To consult (a book, etc.), esp. cursorily; = to look into —— 2b at Phrasal verbs 2. rare.

ΘΚΠ

society > communication > reading > [verb] > to browse rapidly or omit passages

overrunOE

skip1526

to glance over1582

to look inside ——1591

to look into ——1624

to glance through1865

1591 J. Harington in tr. L. Ariosto Orlando Furioso xxx. 244/2 (note) Look inside Allusion.

1849 1st & 2nd Rep. Select Comm. Audit Railway Accts. i. 92 in Parl. Papers (H.C. 371) X. 1 I was merely requested..to step round to show the books to Mr. Herapath; it was the first time that I had looked inside the books.

1894 J. A. Froude Life & Lett. Erasmus iv. 74 He may be full of hatred and malice. He may never look inside the Scriptures.

1928 Eng. Jrnl. Nov. 738 I killed Macbeth for them. I don't believe that they will ever look inside Shakespeare again.

to look into ——

†1. intransitive. To heed, pay attention to, concern oneself with. Obsolete. [After post-classical Latin respicere in (Vulgate).]

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > attention > take notice of, heed [verb (transitive)]

yemec897

understandc1000

beseea1225

heeda1225

bihedec1250

tentc1330

to look into ——c1350

rewardc1350

undertakea1382

considerc1385

recorda1393

behold?a1400

receivea1425

advertc1425

attend1432

advertise?a1439

regard1526

respect1543

eye?c1550

mind1559

panse1559

to take knowledge of1566

to consider of1569

suspect1590

pass1609

matter1652

watch1676

the mind > attention and judgement > attention > take notice of, heed [verb (transitive)] > look into, consider

lookOE

devisec1320

to look into ——c1350

screw1631

c1350 Psalter (BL Add. 17376) in K. D. Bülbring Earliest Compl. Eng. Prose Psalter (1891) ci. 18 (MED) He loked in-to [L. respexit in] þe oreison of þe meke, and he ne despised nouȝt her praier.

a1400 Prymer (St. John's Cambr.) (1891) 56 He lokede in to [L. respexit in] the preiere of meeke men.

a1500 St. Brendan's Confession (Cambr.) l. 247 in Archiv f. das Studium der Neueren Sprachen 175 46 (MED) I shulde haue lokid into þe goodnesse of þe and of þi werkis..wt worship and reuerens, but I dede it not.

2. intransitive.

a. To direct one's gaze to the interior of; to examine the inside of; to look at from outside. Also: to gaze intently or deeply at.

ΚΠ

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 14333 (MED) Þe graue lid awey þei kist, And ihesus loked into þe chest.

a1413 (c1385) G. Chaucer Troilus & Criseyde (Pierpont Morgan) (1881) ii. l. 1227 He sat and loked in to a strete.

1533 T. More Debellacyon Salem & Bizance ii. xvi. f. xci^v By lokyng into the secrete corners of the mannes harte.

1579 S. Gosson Ephemerides Phialo ii. f. 40^v Stand on a Moulehill to looke into a mustarde pot.

1616 T. Adams Divine Herball iii. 68 Let him looke into this Garden for Hysop, Humility of Spirit.

1665 N. Hodges Vindiciæ Medicinæ & Medicorum v. 132 This simple Quack looking into the Patients mouth.

1730 E. Wright Some Observ. France, Italy, &c. II. 430 The Figure sits in an inclining Posture, as looking into a Bason or Pond just below it.

1768 L. Sterne Sentimental Journey II. 48 He..had look'd into the basket and seen the patès which the Chevalier was selling.

1841 E. W. Lane tr. Thousand & One Nights I. 99 The fisherman, looking into the lake saw in it fish of different colours.

1885 M. J. Franc Into Light viii. 56 Looking into the glowing cavernous depths of the fire.

1930 Pop. Sci. Jan. 57/3 (caption) Full grown, it [sc. a baby giraffe] will be able to look into a second-story window.

1950 R. Macdonald Drowning Pool i. 8 I tossed the letter on the desk-top between us, and looked into her face.

2001 R. Nicoll White Male Heart (2002) 141 She looked into her risotto.

b. To consult (a book, etc.), esp. cursorily. Cf. to look through —— 2 at Phrasal verbs 2.

ΘΚΠ

society > communication > reading > [verb] > to browse rapidly or omit passages

overrunOE

skip1526

to glance over1582

to look inside ——1591

to look into ——1624

to glance through1865

1624 F. Texeda Scrutamini Scripturas 11 Such a Papist as neuer lookt into the Bible, must needs be ignorant and indiscreet.

a1674 Earl of Clarendon Brief View Leviathan (1676) 336 Not only that the Scriptures are the Mount,..but that they may not be look'd into.

1709 R. Steele Tatler No. 47. ⁋5 I so far observed his Counsel, that I looked into Shakespear.

1732 G. Berkeley Alciphron I. v. xvii. 299 To be convinced of this Truth, you need only look into Thucydides.

1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. i. 27 With such feelings, both parties looked into the chronicles of the middle ages. Both readily found what they sought.

1884 Notes & Queries 29 Nov. 426/2 I have looked into several books that treat of popular customs.

1963 J. Ciardi Dialogue with Audience i. 32 Have you ever looked into a pedigree book? I assume this to be a pure-bred bantam.

2002 M. van Tielhof ‘Mother of all Trades’ i. 38 Anyone who has ever looked into a book on demography in early modern times knows that families in which more than a few sons reached adulthood were rare.

3. intransitive. To examine or investigate (a matter, subject, issue, etc.).

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > enquiry > investigation, inspection > investigate, inspect [verb (intransitive)]

inquirec1330

aska1382

ensearch1382

questiona1500

investigate?1520

vestigatea1561

to look into ——1561

perpend1568

mouse1575

rake1603

undergo1605

fathom1607

ravel1618

examine1628

inquisition1644

to cast abouta1676

inspect1703

sound1793

disquisitea1823

look-see1862

to cast about one1867

the mind > attention and judgement > enquiry > investigation, inspection > investigate, examine [verb (transitive)]

underseekc897

speerc900

lookeOE

askOE

seeOE

teem witnessc1200

seeka1300

fand13..

inquirec1300

undergoc1315

visit1338

pursuea1382

searcha1382

examinec1384

assay1387

ensearchc1400

vesteyea1425

to have in waitc1440

perpend1447

to bring witnessc1475

vey1512

investigate?1520

recounta1530

to call into (also in) question1534

finger1546

rip1549

sight1556

vestigatea1561

to look into ——1561

require1563

descry?1567

sound1579

question1590

resolve1593

surview1601

undersearch1609

sift1611

disquire1621

indagate1623

inspect1623

pierce1640

shrive1647

in-looka1649

probe1649

incern1656

quaeritate1657

inquisite1674

reconnoitre1740

explore1774

to bring to book1786

look-see1867

scrutate1882

to shake down1915

sleuth1939

screen1942

1561 T. Norton tr. J. Calvin Inst. Christian Relig. i. v. f. 6^v They that haue digested, yea or but tasted the liberall artes,..do procede much further to looke into [L. ad introspicienda] the secretes of Gods wisedome.

a1586 Sir P. Sidney Arcadia (1590) i. ix. sig. F5 Those imperfections..you by the daily mending of your mind haue of late bin able to looke into them, which before you could not discerne.

1604 E. Grimeston tr. J. de Acosta Nat. & Morall Hist. Indies ii. iii. 86 Let vs now looke into the temperature of Panama & all that coast.

1677 Z. Babington Advice to Grand Jurors 124 Not strictly looking into the matter and form, aggravations and circumstances of the Fact.

1731 T. Gurdon Hist. High Court Parl. I. Pref. p. xvii The farther I looked into our ancient Constitution, the more I found Parliaments to be the main Hinge upon which the Government moved regularly.

1762 tr. Authentic Acct. Proc. Holland & West-Friezeland 33 The Director and Council.., from the Teeth outwards, promised, and undertook to look into this Matter.

1859 Ld. Tennyson Enid in Idylls of King 94 Thither came The King's own leech to look into his hurt.

1879 T. H. Huxley Hume vi. 117 It is needful to look narrowly into the propositions here laid down.

1890 A. Gissing Village Hampden III. i. 15 Read your newspapers; look into the rights of things.

1929 D. Hammett Red Harvest ii. 20 Maybe. But the other angle has got to be looked into too—the political end.

1965 G. Jackson Let. 3 Oct. in Soledad Brother (1971) 89 Be sure to look into the course on speed reading.

2005 Independent 27 Jan. (Review section) 4/2 Even as we speak there are firms of quantity surveyors looking into ways of lashing up a modern house for just 60 grand.

4. intransitive. To enter (a room, building, etc.) for the purpose of seeing someone or something.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > social event > visit > visiting > visit [verb (transitive)] > informally

to look into ——1596

to look ina1616

1596 T. Lodge Wits Miserie 63 Let him but looke into a vawting house [i.e. a brothel], he shall play his tricks without charges.

1632 T. Hooker Soules Prepar. for Christ 123 If a great person, especially a Prince or Monarch, did looke into a poore mans house, or come to visit a man in prison, what would the world say?

1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. viii. 296 It is said..that His Majesty deigned to look into the tennis court.

1892 A. K. H. Boyd Twenty-five Years St. Andrews II. xvii. 54 I pervaded Westminster Hall and looked into most of the Courts.

1936 J. Buchan Island of Sheep ii. 27 I looked into the bar for a word with the old fowlers.

2010 Jerusalem Post (Nexis) 7 Feb. 14 Out of interest, we looked into the hotel a few days later, and it was virtually empty.

† to look of ——

Obsolete.

intransitive. To look at or upon.

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (transitive)] > look at or behold

to look to ——eOE

showeOE

lookeOE

lookOE

behold971

beseec1000

seeOE

to see on ——OE

yseeOE

belookc1175

to look against ——c1225

to lay eyes onc1230

biwaita1250

holde1303

aseea1325

to see upon ——a1350

rewardc1350

to look of ——?c1400

eyea1425

visage1450

aviewa1513

gove1513

regard1523

to look unto ——1545

respect1567

survise1600

aspect1610

reflect1611

inspeculate1694

spectate1709

to look for ——1786

deek1825

lookit1908

lamp1916

?c1400 (c1380) G. Chaucer tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. (BL Add. 10340) (1868) ii. pr. i. l. 793 Ne it ne suffriþ nat oo[n]ly to loken of [?c1425 Cambr. Ii.3.21 lokyn on; L. intueri] þing þat is present byforne þe eyen of man.

1530 Bible (Tyndale) Deut. vi. f. xiii^v (margin) It is heresy with vs for a laye man to loke of gods worde or to reade it.

1570 T. Wilson in tr. Demosthenes 3 Orations Ep. Ded. sig. * Often he woulde englyshe his matters out of the Latine or Greeke vpon the sodeyne, by looking of the booke onely.

c1592 C. Marlowe Jew of Malta iv. iv Curt. And where didst meet him? Pil... Within 40 foot of the Gallowes, conning his neck-verse I take it, looking of a Fryars Execution.

1688 W. Phillips New Fairing for merrily Disposed 27 The old Woman howl'd, Andrew look'd sad, down went her Stockins to look of her Shins.

1763 G. G. Beekman Let. 30 Sept. in Beekman Mercantile Papers (1956) I. 446 Have also had two of our best Curryers to Look of it [sc. Sole Leather], for fear that the work man under Value it.

to look on ——

1. intransitive. With adverb (formerly also adjective) complement or phrase: to regard with a specified expression, or with a specified feeling or attitude. Cf. to look upon —— 1 at Phrasal verbs 2.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > aspects of emotion > emotional attitude > hold, entertain, or cherish (a feeling) [verb (transitive)] > entertain a feeling towards

to look on ——lOE

owea1375

to look upon ——c1405

lOE King Ælfred tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. (Bodl.) (2009) I. v. 247 Se wisdom þa and seo gesceadwisnes him bliðum eahum on locodon. [No corresponding passage in the Latin original.]

?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 312 Ne loke ueste onan mon.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 7612 (MED) For los þat dauid wan þat sith, Wald neuer saul lok on him blith.

c1450 J. Capgrave Life St. Augustine (1910) 7 (MED) Sum childyr þat can not speke, Þei can loke angrily on hem þat greue hem.

c1540 (?a1400) Gest Historiale Destr. Troy (2002) f. 49 Parys..lokit on þat louely with a light chere.

1583 R. P. tr. P. de la Sierra Second Pt. Myrror of Knighthood ii. xxiv. f. 292 This new knight turned his head, & looked on him with..wrath & anger.

1661 G. Leyburn Encyclicall Answer 14 Mr. Blacloe and his faction..looking on me with an enuious eye.

1707 C. Cibber Lady's Last Stake ii. 25 She dares not tho' in Raillery look kindly on me.

1752 H. Fielding Amelia I. i. viii. 56 As to his Person, I assure you, I long continued to look on it with great Indifference.

1837 New Monthly Mag. Apr. 542 Fate..still looked on him maliciously.

1881 S. R. Gardiner & J. B. Mullinger Introd. Study Eng. Hist. i. iii. 40 Edwin and Morcar..looked on him with family jealousy.

1916 J. M. Creed Recoll. Austral. 88 The prairie horses rarely do more than buck straight ahead, which in Australia is looked on with contempt and called ‘pig-jumping’.

1959 New Statesman 7 Feb. 177/1 The term ‘axis’ is looked on with disfavour here [i.e. in Bonn] as a reminder of the Berlin–Rome–Tokyo axis of the Nazis.

2005 N.Y. Times (National ed.) 22 Dec. b7/6 Pianists can only look on all this with a jaded attitude.

2. intransitive. To regard as being something specified. Also: †to consider to be something specified (obsolete). Cf. to look upon —— 3a at Phrasal verbs 2.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > judgement or decision > evaluation, estimation, appraisal > appraise, estimate [verb (transitive)] > consider to be, account as

telleOE

talec897

seeOE

letc1000

holdc1200

reckon1340

aima1382

accounta1387

counta1387

judgec1390

takea1400

countc1400

receivec1400

existimatec1430

to look on ——?c1430

makec1440

reputea1449

suppose1474

treatc1485

determinea1513

recount?c1525

esteem1526

believe1533

estimate?1533

ascribe1535

consider1539

regard1547

count1553

to look upon ——1553

take1561

reck1567

eye?1593

censure1597

subscribe1600

perhibit1613

behold1642

resent1642

attributea1657

fancy1662

vogue1675

decount1762

to put down1788

to set down1798

rate1854

have1867

mean1878

?c1430 (c1400) J. Wyclif Eng. Wks. (1880) 192 Alle oþere schullen be doumbe & loken on hem as foolis.

a1555 J. Bradford Two Notable Serm. (1574) sig. G.viii^v This death of Christ therfore looke on as the very pledge of Gods loue towards thee.

1629 J. Earle Micro-cosmogr. (ed. 5) xxix. sig. F7 All men looke on him as a common father.

1658 T. Tillam Lasher proved Liar 27 Looking on him to be a publick Minister of State.

a1715 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Own Time (1724) I. 606 So they looked on him as a dead man.

1723 H. Rowlands Mona Antiqua Restaurata i. xi. 145 The Picts..looking on the Southern Britains as a degenerate Race, more than half Romans.

1825 S. De Renzy Life, Love, & Politics I. iv. 90 I looked on him to be a character too bluntly honest, to take any pleasure in the folly of seriously frightening a poor country novice.

1892 Monthly Packet Mar. 316 Every one..looked on victory as certain.

1919 P. G. Wodehouse Their Mutual Child i. v. 63 This Kid Mitchell was looked on as a coming champ in those days.

1959 B. Wootton Social Sci. & Social Pathol. 15 Many citizens..prefer to look on adult homosexuality as a matter of private taste.

2011 S. Montefiore Mermaid Garden viii. 89 He'll look on you as a child whether you're in your best dress or your usual grubby one.

3. intransitive. To regard with favour; to hold in esteem; to respect. Cf. to look upon —— at Phrasal verbs 2. Now rare (English regional in later use).

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > favour > win favour with [verb (transitive)] > favour

to let well ofc1330

favour1340

to take, accept, receive in greec1374

likea1393

smilec1400

to take agreea1425

agreec1450

to fawn on, upon1477

to bear good mind toa1516

to look upon ——c1515

to look on ——1540

vouchsafe1582

conceit1589

relish1594

to look to ——1611

impatronize1629

aspect1663

sympathize1828

to put one's money on1847

1540 T. Elyot Def. Good Women sig. B.iii But vertue, who is not so commonlye seene, and of soo many men loked on, is nowe of dyuerse men so peruersely estemed, that it is of some called foly.

1595 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 3 v. vii. 22 I am not lookt on in the world.

1689 N. Luttrell Diary in Brief Hist. Relation State Affairs (1857) I. 616 Father Petre is now at Rome, but is not much lookt on there.

1859 ‘G. Eliot’ Adam Bede III. vi. li. 246 He'd be a fine husband for anybody..so looked-on an' so cliver as he is.

1896 G. F. Northall Warwickshire Word-bk. 137 Looked on, respected. ‘He's a man very much looked on.’

to look over ——

1. intransitive. To think over, consider, examine.In quot. ?c1400 as part of an extended metaphor.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > thought > continued thinking, reflection, contemplation > thinking about, consideration, deliberation > consider, deliberate [verb (transitive)]

i-thenchec897

showeOE

i-mune971

thinkOE

overthinkOE

takec1175

umbethinkc1175

waltc1200

bethinkc1220

wend?c1225

weighc1380

delivera1382

peisea1382

considerc1385

musec1390

to look over ——a1393

advise?c1400

debatec1400

roll?c1400

revert?a1425

advertc1425

deliberc1425

movec1425

musec1425

revolvec1425

contemplec1429

overseec1440

to think overc1440

perpend1447

roil1447

pondera1450

to eat inc1450

involvec1470

ponderate?a1475

reputec1475

counterpoise1477

poisea1483

traversec1487

umbecast1487

digest1488

undercast1489

overhalec1500

rumble1519

volve?1520

compassa1522

recount1526

trutinate1528

cast1530

expend1531

ruminate1533

concoct1534

contemplate1538

deliberate1540

revolute1553

chawa1558

to turn over1568

cud1569

cogitate1570

huik1570

chew1579

meditatec1580

discourse1581

speculate1599

theorize1599

scance1603

verse1614

pensitate1623

agitate1629

spell1633

study1659

designa1676

introspect1683

troll1685

balance1692

to figure on or upon1837

reflect1862

mull1873

to mull over1874

scour1882

mill1905

a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) Prol. l. 328 (MED) And forto loken over this, If Ethna brenne in the clergie, Al openly to mannes ye At Avynoun thexperience Therof hath yove an evidence.

?c1400 (c1380) G. Chaucer tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. (BL Add. 10340) (1868) v. pr. iv. l. 4781 Þe eye of intelligence..lookeþ ouer..þilk same symple forme of man þat is perdurably in þe deuyne þouȝt.

1530 Proper Dyaloge Gentillman & Husbandman (new ed.) sig. A.iv^v Loke ouer the hoole worlde to and fro.

1692 R. South 12 Serm. I. 558 Look over the whole Creation, and you shall see, that the Band or Cement that holds together all the Parts of this great and glorious Fabrick, is Gratitude.

1693 T. Creech tr. Juvenal Satires xiii. xv. 164 Look o're the present and the former time.

1735 D. Forbes Thoughts conc. Relig. 2 In looking over the whole animal creation one sees infinite variety of instincts.

1791 N.Y. Mag. Jan. 29/2 If we look over the geographical history of the world, we will find that no place ever had such commercial prospects, since the building of Alexandria in Egypt.

1827 J. Epps Internal Evid. Christianity deduced from Phrenol. i. 53 If I look over the earth, I behold much misery.

1882 A. Muir Lady Beauty iii. iv. 161 If one looks over one's life, it is surprising to notice how many mishaps..become on review matters of congratulation.

1923 Boys' Life Oct. 18/3 You will find, if you look over our great men of the past, that..they were generally good sportsmen in the finest sense of the term.

2005 T. L. Friedman World is Flat v. 231 If you look over the sweep of history, every time we had more trade, more communications, we had a big upswing in economic activity and standard of living.

2. intransitive. To inspect or peruse, esp. cursorily; to glance through the contents of (a book, etc.).

ΘΚΠ

society > communication > reading > [verb (intransitive)] > skim or browse

browse1818

to look over ——1855

riffle1919

page1927

skim-read1931

skip-read1977

1529 T. More Supplyc. Soulys Ep. Ded. f. i^v Thys pore boke..whyche yt may please you..at your leysure to loke ouer.

1590 R. Greene tr. O. Rinaldi Royal Exchange sig. C3 In the day to looke ouer the Lecture he hath to reade.

1600 W. Shakespeare Midsummer Night's Dream iv. ii. 33 Euery man looke ore his part. For..our play is preferd.

1676 A. Marvell Mr. Smirke sig. D I looked over the Canons, the Rational, the Ceremonial, the Rubrick.

1769 Gardener's Kalendar 80/1 in Compl. Farmer (ed. 2) Look over your flowering plants.

1780 C. A. Burney Jrnl. 4 July in F. Burney Early Diary (1889) II. 288 My father and him next went to looking over the prints.

1819 W. Irving Sketch Bk. i. 10 I look over..the hints and memorandums I have taken down.

1855 Ld. Houghton Let. in T. W. Reid Life Ld. Houghton (1890) I. xi. 527 E. C. Gaskell asked me to come and look over Miss Brontë's papers.

1928 Rotarian Apr. 48/2 We spent the first part of the morning looking over the beautiful industrial city.

1951 M. Reynolds Case of Little Green Men 200 He walked over to the Vio-Box and looked over its selection.

2005 R. Horsfall Dancing on Thorns xxviii. 435 From time to time..doctors came to shine penlights into his eyes and to look over his notes.

3. intransitive. To pass over, ignore, overlook. Now rare.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > inattention > ignoring, disregard > ignore, disregard [verb (transitive)] > dismiss from consideration

to put out of ——a1250

to lay awaya1400

to set asidec1407

to lay by1439

to lay asidec1440

to let (something) walkc1450

to set apart?1473

reject1490

seclude?1531

to let go1535

to put offc1540

to set by1592

sepose1593

to think away1620

to look over ——a1640

prescind1650

seposit1657

decognize1659

inconsider1697

to set over1701

shelf1819

sink1820

shelve1847

eliminate1848

to count out1854

discounta1856

defenestrate1917

neg1987

society > morality > duty or obligation > moral or legal constraint > immunity or exemption from liability > forgiveness > forgive [verb (transitive)] > specifically an offence

forgiveOE

atletc1200

to pass overa1425

sparea1425

remit1457

dispense1563

dismissa1616

condonate1656

condone1851

to look over ——1887

a1640 W. Fenner Divine Message to Elect Soul (1645) 89 The Lord winked at them, and did not so narrowly watch them, but looked over mens ignorance.

1666 J. Bunyan Grace Abounding ⁋38 Though I endeavoured at the first to look over the business of Faith.

1800 M. Edgeworth Castle Rackrent 13 She had Scotch blood in her veins, any thing else I could have looked over in her from a regard to the family.

1887 Murray's Mag. 2 425 He forgave her, and looked over her conduct.

1920 Educator-Jrnl. Dec. 228/2 I'll look over it this time 'cause that's jest like a Mother.

4. intransitive. Of God: to look after, take care of.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > care, protection, or charge > care for, protect, or have charge of [verb (transitive)] > take care of or look after

yknowOE

knowlOE

to care forc1230

bihedec1250

beseec1300

to look to ——c1300

seea1325

await1393

observea1425

procurea1425

to look after ——1487

to take (also have) regard to (or of)a1500

regard1526

to see after ——1544

to look unto ——1545

attendc1572

to take care of1579

curea1618

tend1631

to look over ——1670

1670 W. Lucy Treat. Nature of Minister Ep. Ded. sig. *2^v Do you praise God daily for that, whose Providence invisibly looked over and protected you from those evils.

a1796 R. Burns Poems & Songs (1968) II. 505 Royal George, the Lord leuk o'er him!

1866 Dublin Rev. Aug. 226 Oh, may the Lord my God look over them.

1971 in A. Heilbut Gospel Sound xi. 207 I'm thankin' God for looking over me and my children one more week, for keeping Satan away, for stepping in when I needed him most.

2003 M. Odom Apocalypse Dawn xviii. 193 God, look over him. Keep him safe till I can get help here, or take him home with You if that's what You feel is best.

to look through ——

1. intransitive.

a. To direct one's gaze through (an opening or gap in a solid object, a window or other transparent body, an optical instrument, etc.). Also figurative: to perceive or understand the true nature of.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > inattention > ignoring, disregard > ignore, disregard [verb (transitive)] > allow to pass unnoticed

to look through ——OE

to let (something) overpassa1375

overpassa1382

unseea1395

forgoa1400

balkc1440

dissimulea1450

pass?c1475

dissemblea1500

dissimulatea1533

to wink at1535

nod1607

connive1641

beholdc1650

to wink against1653

to shut one's eyes to (also against, on)a1711

blink1742

the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (transitive)] > look through

to look through ——?a1513

the mind > mental capacity > understanding > intelligence, cleverness > sharpness, shrewdness, insight > penetrate, discern [verb (transitive)]

piercea1398

to look througha1525

insee1541

penetrate?1563

to see through ——1565

to look through ——1580

understand1587

to break through1597

fathom1633

unfathom1707

OE Blickling Homilies 93 Se heofon tobyrst from þæm eastdæle oþ þone westdæl; & þonne eall engla cynn lociaþ þurh þa ontynnesse on manna cynn.

a1513 W. Dunbar Tua Mariit Wemen in Poems (1998) I. 41 Throw pykis of the plet thorne I presandlie luikit, Gif ony persoun wald approche.

1580 J. Lyly Euphues & his Eng. (new ed.) f. 34 Since your eyes are so sharpe, that you cannot onely looke through a Milstone, but cleane through the minde.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Julius Caesar (1623) i. ii. 203 He lookes Quite through the Deeds of men.

1628 J. Earle Micro-cosmogr. x. sig. C5^v When you haue seene his outside, you haue lookt through him.

1709 R. Steele Tatler No. 44. ⁋5 The World is grown too wise, and can look through these thin Devices.

1723 E. Stone tr. N. Bion Constr. & Principal Uses Math. Instruments vii. ii. 204 Look thro the small Hole in the Sight-Vane.

1826 C. R. Williams Tour Island Jamaica xxii. 155 Nunnez still looked through the glass as he uttered this monologue.

1830 Ld. Tennyson Lilian 10 She, looking thro' and thro' me, Thoroughly to undo me, Smiling, never speaks.

1870 W. C. Bryant tr. Homer Iliad I. iv. 123 Why look through The spaces that divide the warlike ranks?

1914 Crisis Apr. 302/2 Looking through the window he saw this man lying dead.

1974 Jet 28 Mar. 4/2 As a divorced Black woman and mother, she can look through her curtain of sorrow with a hell of a lot more ease than most of us.

2009 O. Gentile Life List v. 123 The guide..looked through his binoculars.

b. to look through one's (also the) fingers: to contrive or pretend not to see or notice something; (also) to see indistinctly. Also with at, upon.Somewhat rare after 18th cent.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > inattention > ignoring, disregard > ignore [verb (intransitive)]

overhipa1325

to hide one's facea1382

to look aside1530

to look beside ——1533

not to hear on that side1548

to look through the fingers1549

to pull away the shoulder1560

connive1602

to turn a (also the) blind eye1698

to bury (or hide) one's head in the sand1844

Nelson eye1893

not to want to know1948

1549 H. Latimer 2nd Serm. before Kynges Maiestie 5th Serm. sig. Rviii They loke thorow ther fingers & wil not se it.

1550 M. Coverdale tr. O. Werdmueller Spyrytuall & Precyouse Pearle xx. sig. Hv^v As thoughe God must..loke thorowe the fyngers vpon the wicked world.

1579 S. Gosson Schoole of Abuse f. 6^v To shew you that..which I see in a cloude, loking through my fingers.

1623 T. Scott Exod. viii. 19 42 Couetousnesse and commoditie will..make euen good men looke through their fingers.

1681 E. Pearse Conformist's Plea for Nonconformists 35 He..could..look through his Fingers, and suffer a worthy Non-conformist to preach publickly very near him.

1695 T. Houghton Alteration of Coyn (new ed.) 12 The Spanish Governours have been inclinable to look through their Fingers, that a Stol'n Trade might be had with the Spaniards.

1713 J. Barker Love Intrigues 8 My vigilant Aunt..(as the Proverb is) look'd through her Fingers.

1761 Impartial Enq. Conduct Late Minister 27 It may be good Policy, even in Princes, sometimes to look through their Fingers.

1832 Morning Chron. 1 Sept. The most absolute individual in private life must occasionally look through his fingers at many things.

1948 Christian Sci. Monitor 28 Dec. 10/3 We had to look through our fingers at such things.

1978 Guardian Weekly 29 Jan. 7/1 Because Somalia is now the enemy of the Soviet Union, we are prepared to look through our fingers at Somalia's invasion of Ethiopia.

2009 F. Becker in G. Blundo & P.-Y. Le Meur Governance Daily Life in Afr. 81 This pragmatic approach, where looking through one's fingers was an essential virtue.

†c. colloquial or slang. In various expressions referring to death by hanging, as to look through a hempen window (cf. hempen adj. 1b). Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > authority > punishment > capital punishment > hanging > be hanged [verb (intransitive)]

rideeOE

hangc1000

anhangc1300

wagc1430

totter?1515

to wave in the windc1515

swing1542

trine1567

to look through ——?1570

to preach at Tyburn cross1576

stretch?1576

to stretch a rope1592

truss1592

to look through a hempen window?a1600

gibbet1600

to have the lift1604

to salute Tyburn1640

to dance the Tyburn jig1664

dangle1678

to cut a caper on nothing1708

string1714

twist1725

to wallop in a tow (also tether)1786

to streek in a halter1796

to straight a ropea1800

strap1815

to dance upon nothing1837

to streek a tow1895

?1570 T. Preston Lamentable Trag. Cambises sig. D.ij^v If ye be taken Cosin, ye must looke through a rope.

?a1600 Marriage Wit & Wisdom (1846) iii. 28 If we should chance to looke through an hemp Windowe, and our arse brake our necke.

1627 J. Taylor Armado sig. A5 Making their wils at Wapping, or looking through a hempen window at St. Thomas Waterings.

1668 F. Kirkman Eng. Rogue II. ix. sig. G3 Such a parcel of Canary-birds as well deserved to look through a Hempen casement at the three corner'd tenement in the high-way betwixt London and Padington.

d. To pretend not to see, to ignore deliberately. Frequently with intensifying adverb, as to look right (or straight) through (a person).

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > inattention > ignoring, disregard > ignore, disregard [verb (transitive)]

fordita800

forheedc1275

forget1297

to let out ofa1300

spele1338

to go beside ——a1382

waivec1400

remiss?a1425

to go by ——?c1450

misknowledge?a1475

misknow1483

misken1494

to go besides ——1530

to let pass1530

unregard1545

unmind1562

overlook1570

mislippen1581

suspend1581

omit1589

blanch1605

to blow off1631

disregard1641

to pass with ——1641

to give (a person or thing) the go-by1654

prescind1654

nihilify1656

proscribe1680

unnotice1776

ignore1795

to close one's mind1797

cushion1818

to leave out in the cold1839

overslaugh1846

unheed1847

to write off1861

to look through ——1894

scrub1943

the world > action or operation > behaviour > bad behaviour > discourtesy > treat discourteously [verb (transitive)] > treat with lack of affability > refuse to recognize

cut1634

to look through ——1894

1894 C. Garvice Queen Kate viii. 61 She just looked through him with shining eyes, then returned to her book.

1906 National Mag. June 282/2 Next day he just looked through me like I warn't there.

1942 J. Grenfell Let. 29 Mar. in Darling Ma (1989) 343 She said the people who came there now were a disgrace. Just rich, no class at all. No manners... Looked right through her, they did, and it wasn't right for such people to be in a place like the Carlton Grill!

1973 G. Mitchell Murder of Busy Lizzie ii. 26 Clothilde's straight-laced mamma boycotted Eliza..and Clothilde..looked straight through the poor woman.

2007 Esquire Oct. 128/1 Assuming he doesn't look straight through you, stick to ass-kicking small talk.

2. intransitive. To direct one's gaze over the whole of (something) or to every one of (a group or set of things); to peruse the contents of, esp. cursorily; to glance through (a book, etc.); to search through.

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (transitive)] > scan or look over

to look through ——?1536

to run over ——1555

overcast1570

to run over1571

pervise1577

transview1602

scour1909

society > communication > reading > [verb (transitive)] > from beginning to end > in a cursory manner

to look through ——1858

?1536 W. Marshall Luther's Images Verye Chrysten Bysshop sig. k.vii Thus must they nedes be cast downe....which do brenne the bokes whiche they neuer sawe, nor loked through.

1565 A. Golding tr. Ovid Fyrst Fower Bks. Metamorphosis ii. f. 2^v Looke through the world so round..aske what thou likest best.

1633 J. Ford 'Tis Pitty shee's Whore i. sig. B ^v Looke through the world, And thou shalt see a thousand faces shine More glorious, then this Idoll thou ador'st.

1733 A. Pope Ess. Man i. 25 Of this vast Frame the Bearings, and the Ties,..And Centres just, has thy pervading Soul Look'd thro'?

1774 O. Goldsmith Hist. Earth IV. 64 If we look through the different ranks of animals, from the largest to the smallest.

1858 T. B. Macaulay in G. O. Trevelyan Life & Lett. Macaulay (1876) II. xiv. 452 I looked through ——'s two volumes.

1865 Cornhill Mag. May 554 Being in want of a horse at the time..I looked through the advertisements in The Times, and noticed one which at any rate promised well.

1915 A. S. Neill Dominie's Log iii. 38 I look through a school-history, and I find that emphasis is laid on incident.

1975 R. Butler Where all Girls are Sweeter ii. 17 I looked through his record racks... There was a nice mixture from Bach to Vivaldi.

1996 Ancestry Jan. 20/1 I didn't have the time (and it would have taken days) to look through the mounds of boxed papers stacked against the walls in his library.

2003 London Rev. Bks. 21 Aug. 5/2 I'd looked through books like John Rechy's City of Night that my brother had lying around.

†3. intransitive. To be visible or apparent through. Obsolete.Cf. quot. 1600 for to look through 2 at Phrasal verbs 1.

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > visibility > be or make visible [verb (transitive)] > be visible through

to look through ——1604

1604 W. Shakespeare Hamlet iv. vii. 124 That our drift looke through our bad performance, Twere better not assayd.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Taming of Shrew (1623) Induct. ii. 11 Such shooes as my toes looke through the ouer-leather.

to look to ——

Cf. senses 1, 4, 6, and to prep.

1. intransitive. To turn one's gaze towards; to cast a look or glance to. Also occasionally figurative.Now chiefly with reference to a specified direction, or region of space, etc., than a particular person or object.

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (transitive)] > look at or behold

to look to ——eOE

showeOE

lookeOE

lookOE

behold971

beseec1000

seeOE

to see on ——OE

yseeOE

belookc1175

to look against ——c1225

to lay eyes onc1230

biwaita1250

holde1303

aseea1325

to see upon ——a1350

rewardc1350

to look of ——?c1400

eyea1425

visage1450

aviewa1513

gove1513

regard1523

to look unto ——1545

respect1567

survise1600

aspect1610

reflect1611

inspeculate1694

spectate1709

to look for ——1786

deek1825

lookit1908

lamp1916

the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (transitive)] > look in specific direction

to look unto ——a1400

respect1555

to look to ——1604

eOE tr. Bede Eccl. Hist. (Tanner) iii. xix. 244 Þa onbrægd se his geþofta & locade to him [L. respexit eum], & þus cwæð: Eala broðor Ecgberht..hwæt dydest þu?

OE Blickling Homilies 187 Þa locode Petrus to Paule & cwæþ, ‘Rære up þin heafod.’

a1200 MS Trin. Cambr. in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1873) 2nd Ser. 121 (MED) He lokeð nu fro heuene to us, and seð þat we..turnen fro his hese.

c1300 Havelok (Laud) (1868) l. 2136 (MED) Þe knithes þouth of hem god gamen Hem forto shewe and loken to.

c1480 (a1400) St. Mary of Egypt 356 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 306 Þane stud þe monk..to þe erde lukand.

1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) iv. 321 Than lukit [1489 Adv. lukyt] he awfully thame to.

1544 A. Cope Hist. Anniball & Scipio xx. f. 29 He withdrew the eies of his ennemies from lokyng to that place of embusshement.

?1587 A. H. tr. J. Guillemeau Worthy Treat. Eyes (new ed.) iii. i. sig. D6 The negligence of the Nurce..which maketh the children looking to the light to turne the eie on the side to it.

1604 W. Shakespeare Hamlet i. iv. 55 + 3 The very place puts toyes of desperation..into euery braine That lookes so many fadoms to the sea And heares it rore beneath.

1611 Bible (King James) 1 Sam. xvi. 12 He was..of a beautifull countenance, and goodly to looke to .

1660 Bp. J. Taylor Ductor Dubitantium I. ii. iii. 464 He that thinks he serves God by looking to the East when he prayes..is a superstitious man.

1734 D. Hume Let. Mar. (1932) I. 12 Not being acquainted with the hand-writing, you will probably look to the bottom to find the Subscription.

1786 F. Burney Court Jrnls. & Lett. (2011) I. 305 I look to the Music Books, to see what's coming.

1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps i. xviii. 123 We looked to the sky at intervals.

1893 Amer. Naturalist 27 70 They looked to the west and saw a black wave coming.

1988 D. Hogan Lebanon Lodge 91 Fiachra entered the cathedral..stopped, and looked to the rose window.

2005 Sport Diver May 94/2 We all kept looking to the blue and were rewarded with a couple of passes by ancient green sea turtles.

2. intransitive. To direct one's attention to; to consider, regard. Also occasionally in biblical use: to regard with favour (cf. to look on —— 3 at Phrasal verbs 2).

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > favour > win favour with [verb (transitive)] > favour

to let well ofc1330

favour1340

to take, accept, receive in greec1374

likea1393

smilec1400

to take agreea1425

agreec1450

to fawn on, upon1477

to bear good mind toa1516

to look upon ——c1515

to look on ——1540

vouchsafe1582

conceit1589

relish1594

to look to ——1611

impatronize1629

aspect1663

sympathize1828

to put one's money on1847

eOE King Ælfred tr. Gregory Pastoral Care (Hatton) (1871) xli. 299 To hwæm locige ic [L. ad quem respiciam] buton to ðæm eaðmodum?

OE (Mercian) Rushw. Gospels: Matt. xxii. 16 Non est tibi cura de aliquo, non enim respicis ad personas hominum : nis ðe gemnis be ængum forþon þe þu ne locast to hadum monna.

1340 Ayenbite (1866) 89 Hy ssolden loki to hare zoþe uorbysne Ihesu crist.

a1425 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Galba) l. 28877 Crist lukes noght to þe almus dede,..Bot efter gude will of þe gifer.

a1569 A. Kingsmill Conf. containing Conflict with Satan 5 in Most Excellent & Comfortable Treat. (new ed.) (1578) Loke to thy former wayes what they have bene.

1580 Sir P. Sidney tr. Psalmes David xviii. vii I walk'd his [sc. God's] waies,..Still to his judgmentes look't.

1604 E. Grimeston tr. J. de Acosta Nat. & Morall Hist. Indies iii. iii. 126 Speaking..of the qualitie of the windes, we must..looke to the coastes or partes of the world from whence they proceede.

1611 Bible (King James) Isa. lxvi. 2 To this man will I looke, even to him that is poore and of a contrite spirit.

1660 H. Peters Dying Fathers last Legacy 1 There are so many Books Printed, looking to all Cases, which I have often Commended to you.

1783 Brief & Impartial Rev. State Great Brit. (ed. 2) 74 Let us now look to the candidates for power.

1796 E. Burke Two Lett. Peace Regicide Directory France ii. 153 If we look to our stock in the Eastern world, our most valuable and systematick acquisitions are made in that quarter.

1844 J. S. Mill Ess. 87 If we look only to the effects which are intended.

1891 Law Times 92 18/2 We incline to think that there will be an appeal,..looking to the terms of sect. 49 of the Judicature Act.

1928 C. Dawson Age of Gods p. xiv The dominant fashion is to look to the racial factor as the deus ex machina of the human drama.

1967 Life 27 Oct. 4/3 There is a danger in looking to it as any kind of solution.

2008 M. Feener in F. Trix et al. Muslim Voices & Lives in Contemp. World x. 145 Pak Koesnoe looked to such things with a view to understanding what they did to establish and maintain harmony and social justice.

3. intransitive.

a. To depend upon, have trust in; to rely on (a person, etc.) for something, or to do something.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > attention > take notice of, heed [verb (transitive)] > direct attention, thought, etc.

lookeOE

i-thenchec897

to look to ——OE

send?c1420

to look upon ——c1515

to look unto ——1526

face1630

turn1842

the mind > mental capacity > expectation > hope > confident hope, trust > trust in, rely on [verb (transitive)]

to set one's heart on (also (in)c825

littenc1175

leanc1230

fie1340

trusta1382

resta1393

reappose1567

repose1567

lite1570

rely1574

to set (up) one's rest1579

rely1606

to look back1646

recumba1677

to pin one's faith (also hope, etc.) on (also to) a person's sleeve1791

to look to ——1807

bank1884

OE Old Eng. Martyrol. (Julius) 22 Aug. (2013) 164 Loca to þam ðe on heofonum ricsaþ.

a1225 (c1200) Vices & Virtues (1888) 115 (MED) Alle hie..to ðe lokið, all hwat ðu send hem sume aliesendnesse.

1566 T. Becon New Postil ii. f. 8^v Obeye not the deuill and the fleshe, but looke to God and his will.

1582 R. Browne Life & Manners all True Christians (new ed.) li. sig. D3^v/1 The weaker churches seeke helpe of the stronger..: or else the stronger looke to them for redresse.

1611 Bible (King James) Ecclus. xxxiv. 15 Blessed is the soule of him that feareth the Lord: to whom doeth he looke?

1691 D. Williams Vanity Childhood & Youth 88 Look to me for help, for there's help no where else.

1726 J. Barker Lining of Patch-work Screen 193 He told the People of the House, that they must look to me for payment of the Lodgings.

1807 Parl. Deb. 1st Ser. 8 217 ‘Man and steel, the soldier and the sword’, were the only productions of a country that could be looked to with confidence for its protection and security.

1885 Law Times Rep. 53 226/2 The consignee is the person to whom a carrier looks for the price of the carriage of goods.

1892 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. 151 220/2 I look to you to help us.

1955 D. Webb Deadline for Crime iii. 52 Provincial police forces looked to him for help when they wanted their towns cleared of the ‘whiz mob’, as English pickpockets are known in the underworld.

2008 Time Out N.Y. 19 June 42/4 Look to your neighbors for suggestions—we like the smooth, dry urakasumi paired with snacks like pickled squid and rice crackers.

b. To look forward to; to expect, count upon, or aim at.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > expectation > expect [verb (transitive)]

weenOE

weenc1000

thinklOE

lookc1225

hopec1330

trusta1387

wait onc1390

supposea1393

to wait after ——1393

to look after ——c1400

thinkc1480

attend1483

suppone1490

expect1535

to expect for1538

aspect1548

respect1549

look1560

ween1589

attend1591

propose1594

await1608

to presume on, upon, or of1608

to look forwards1637

prospect1652

to look for ——a1677

augur1678

anticipate1749

to look to ——1782

spect1839

contemplate1841–8

to look forward1848

eye1979

the mind > mental capacity > expectation > expect [verb (transitive)] > rely on

to presume on, upon, or of?a1475

reckon1547

lot1633

compute1674

count1711

to look to ——1782

to bargain for1801

calculate1802

to figure on or upon1904

the mind > mental capacity > expectation > expect [verb (transitive)] > look to someone

to wait on ——1682

to look to ——1824

1782 W. Cowper Table Talk in Poems 495 A terrible sagacity informs The poet's heart, he looks to distant storms, He hears the thunder ere the tempest lowers.

1804 Duke of Wellington Dispatches (1835) II. 407 The French have never ceased to look to the re-establishment of their power.

1824 Examiner 108/1 Baron Gifford..looks to the Seals, when Lord Eldon retires.

1844 J. H. Stocqueler Hand-bk. India 47 Clerkships in the public offices is the line of employment which the body of them look to.

1963 P. Colum Thomas Muskerry (new ed.) in Three Plays 136 It is not what I was looking to.

1986 Times 1 Dec. 23/6 Before the issue price was set, many analysts were looking to a price of 130p.

2008 Church Times 22 Aug. 11/2 As a gay and partnered Anglican looking to a civil partnership and blessing next year, I am nearly exploding with frustration.

4. intransitive. Now archaic or colloquial. Cf. to see to —— at see v. Phrasal verbs 2.

a. To take care of, look after, attend to, be concerned with. Cf. to look till —— at sense 3a.In early use spec. with reference to care of a sick or injured person.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > manner of action > care, carefulness, or attention > take care about [verb (transitive)] > see to or about

yemec897

to look to ——c1300

attendc1315

seea1350

to see to ——a1382

attenda1400

await?c1430

to wait to ——c1440

to see unto ——a1470

intentc1500

visit?1518

to see after ——1544

to look unto ——1545

attend1611

to see about ——1710

the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > care, protection, or charge > care for, protect, or have charge of [verb (transitive)] > take care of or look after

yknowOE

knowlOE

to care forc1230

bihedec1250

beseec1300

to look to ——c1300

seea1325

await1393

observea1425

procurea1425

to look after ——1487

to take (also have) regard to (or of)a1500

regard1526

to see after ——1544

to look unto ——1545

attendc1572

to take care of1579

curea1618

tend1631

to look over ——1670

the world > health and disease > healing > art or science of medicine > practice of healing art > practise the healing art [verb (transitive)] > tend the sick

to look to ——a1450

norrya1450

watch1526

attendc1572

assist1664

nurse1751

nurse-tend1792

the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > care, protection, or charge > care for, protect, or have charge of [verb (transitive)] > take care of or look after > specifically a person > a sick person

to look to ——a1450

c1300 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Otho) (1978) l. 11205 Ich þe wolle loke to, þat no king ne sal þe mis-do.

c1350 Gregorius (Cleo.) (1914) l. 1088 An holy man..Þat dygne were þer to done [sc. to be made pope] And cristendome to loke to.

a1450 Castle of Love (Bodl. Add.) (1967) 1659 And ȝe comforted me in prison eke, And loked to me when I was seke.

1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VI f. clij^v After the death of this prelate,..the affayres in Fraunce, were neither well loked to, nor [etc.].

1548 H. Latimer Notable Serm. sig. B.iii Ye that be prelates loke well to your offyce.

1611 Bible (King James) Jer. xxxix. 12 Take him, and looke well to him, and doe him no harme.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Comedy of Errors (1623) v. i. 415 Come go with vs, wee'l looke to that anon.

1702 J. Savage Antient & Present State Germany viii. 208 In the Hunting-House..are Fifteen Bears very well provided for, and look'd to.

1840 W. M. Thackeray Paris Sketch Bk. I. 294 Mother would never let me leave her, because I looked to my little brothers.

1864 C. Dickens Our Mutual Friend (1865) I. ii. vii. 232 The yard gate-lock should be looked to, if you please; it don't catch.

1936 D. Barnes Nightwood ii. 52 No man needs curing of his individual sickness, his universal malady is what he should look to.

1983 R. K. Narayan Tiger for Malgudi 115 Each was looking to his own safety and escape.

b. In imperative, or in the context of a warning: to concern oneself with (someone or something), as requiring protection, maintenance, improvement, etc. to look to one's laurels: see laurel n.¹ 2c. to look to one's hits: see hit n. 3b.

ΚΠ

1486 J. Mirk's Liber Festiuall (Rood & Hunte) sig. riv^v/2 She callid to the norse and seide loke to the childe.

1525 in B. Cusack Everyday Eng. 1500–1700 (1998) 108 Looke well to yo^r awn seruauntis for the kepe noughty ruele.

1597 W. Shakespeare Richard II v. iii. 37 My leige beware, looke to thy selfe.

1602 2nd Pt. Returne fr. Parnassus iv. ii. 1880 Fellow looke to your braines; you are mad.

1630 J. Hales Let. conc. Weapon-salve 23 Nov. 281 in Golden Remains (1673) The Refuter must be sure to look to the strength of his reasons.

1721 J. Kelly Compl. Coll. Scotish Prov. 238 Love your Friend, but look to your self.

1797 A. Radcliffe Italian I. vii. 180 Look to your steps!

1813 P. B. Shelley Queen Mab iv. 57 Look to thyself, priest, conqueror, or prince.

1889 C. Smith Repentance Paul Wentworth II. v. 118 Then look to your own ways and manners, sir!

1926 People's Home Jrnl. Feb. 26/3 If you are inclined to ‘cold sores’ or ‘fever blisters’—those most disfiguring and often painful afflictions—look to your diet.

1974 B. Friel Freedom of City in Sel. Plays (1984) 123 Michael: Five children? Lily: Five? God look to your wit! Eleven, young fella. Eight boys and three girls.

2000 D. Adebayo My Once upon Time (2001) iv. 75 Look to your woman, star. If she your woman.

c. to look to it: to be careful, take heed, beware. In later use chiefly with following clause: to take care, make sure, see that.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > manner of action > care, carefulness, or attention > caution > be cautious or take care [verb (intransitive)]

warea1000

biwaitc1456

to look to it1548

to look out?1553

to play safe1601

to be on the sure side1668

to mind out1823

to keep one's powder dry1837

to play it safe1873

to have a care1876

to watch it1916

to watch (or mind) one's step1934

1548 P. Nicolls Godly Newe Story sig. B.viii Loke to yt (O ye Magystrates) for ryght sharpe iudgement shalbe done on these y^t be in auctorite.

a1616 W. Shakespeare As you like It (1623) iii. i. 4 Looke to it, Finde out thy brother wheresoere he is.

1672 Duke of Buckingham Rehearsal i. 10 Thun. Let the Critiques look to 't. Light. Let the Ladies look to 't.

a1701 H. Maundrell Journey Aleppo to Jerusalem (1703) 30 And they have reason to look well to it.

1749 Merlinus Liberatus sig. C3 Let Honest Travellers, nay, and House-dwellers too, look to it, for they will find Highwaymen and Foot-padders very busy.

1842 Ld. Tennyson Dora in Poems (new ed.) II. 34 In my time a father's word was law, And so it shall be now for me. Look to't.

1892 Good Words May 292/1 She would look to it that they had a roof over their heads.

1917 Boys' Life Sept. 42/2 Look to it that you do not fall into his treacherous hands!

2008 E. Teller in Washington Times (Nexis) 18 Sept. a18 People in general must make the decisions, and we scientists must look to it that people understand what they are deciding about.

†5. intransitive. To keep watch upon, guard. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > vigilance > keeping watch > keep watch on [verb (transitive)]

biwitieOE

to look to ——c1330

watchc1330

to make or lay await onc1386

markc1400

to wait to ——c1440

to keep (also have) an (or one's) eye on (also upon)a1450

waken1535

to look unto ——1594

to carry a wary (also watchful, etc.) eye on (also upon)1596

to look after ——a1616

overwatch1618

snokea1652

to look up1855

surveil1960

c1330 Gregorius (Auch.) (1914) l. 988 (MED) Þe cardinals..bisouȝt god..Anholi man to vnder fo Þat digne were to ben in rome..And holi chirche loke to.

c1540 (?a1400) Gest Historiale Destr. Troy (2002) f. 97 Lokis well to þe listis þat ne lede passe.

1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry V f. lviij^v His kepers looked more narowly to hym then thei did before.

1593 in W. H. Stevenson Rec. Borough Nottingham (1889) IV. 238 That all the alhousess of the back syd of the town may be loukte tow.

1634 T. Herbert Relation Some Yeares Trauaile 83 For two yeares hee [sc. a prisoner] was strictly lookt too.

1685 J. Jackson et al. Annot. Holy Bible II. sig. Pp4/2 You have substituted others in your rooms, made Officials, and Surrogates, and Curats to look to the Gates.

1752 J. Louthian Form of Process (ed. 2) 209 And then desires the Keeper to take A. B. the Prisoner from the Bar, and look to him, for he stands convicted of High Treason.

1801 M. Edgeworth Forester in Moral Tales I. 204 Constable, look to your prisoner.

1819 P. B. Shelley Cenci iv. iv. 73 Sound the alarm; Look to the gates that none escape!

†6. intransitive. To tend towards, have a similarity with. Cf. to look toward —— 2 at Phrasal verbs 2. Obsolete. rare.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > relationship > relate to [verb (transitive)] > show affinity to

to look to ——1835

1835 W. Kirby On Power of God in Creation of Animals II. xxiv. 514 The bear seems to look towards the sloth; and the feline race, in their whiskers and feet, look to the hares and rats.

to look toward ——

1. intransitive.

a. To direct one's sight in the direction of (something); to anticipate or consider.

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (intransitive)] > look in specific direction

to look toward ——c1225

to look towards ——1534

respect1555

to look ahead1805

c1225 (?c1200) St. Juliana (Royal) l. 548 Iuliane þe edie openede hire ehnen ant lokede [c1225 Bodl. biheold] toward him.

a1250 Lofsong Louerde in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1868) 1st Ser. 211 Leoue louerd iesu crist loke toward me ase ich ligge lowe.

a1350 in K. Böddeker Altengl. Dichtungen (1878) 200 Iesu,..wiþ þine suete eȝen loke towart me.

c1475 tr. C. de Pisan Livre du Corps de Policie (Cambr.) (1977) 171 (MED) Whan all that othre loked into the est..he shulde loke toward the weste.

1550 J. Hooper Ouersight Jonas iv. f. lxxxv I wyll yet again loke toward thi holy temple.

1577 S. Batman Golden Bk. Leaden Goddes f. 18 The Three Graces were portraited naked with hand in hand, wherof two loked toward vs and the thyrd from vs.

1626 N. Breton Fantasticks sig. E2 The Milke-maids begin to looke toward their dayry.

1675 F. Fane Love in Dark ii. vii. 37 (stage direction) He stalks and looks toward Trivultio.

1745 J. Kirkby Capacity & Extent Human Understanding 213 Looking toward the Sea, I was greatly surprised to see an huge Body,..some Distance from the Land.

1798 Monthly Mirror June 333 Once more let me look toward the valley.

1848 Knickerbocker July 71 It is as if the voyager on the Hudson were to look toward the great range of the Catskills.

1878 J. D. Steele Physics 126 If we hold a small needle close to one eye and look toward the sun we see several needles.

1929 G. P. Merrill Minerals from Earth & Sky i. i. 1 It is only after sundown, and particularly when we look toward the Milky Way, that we begin to appreciate the vast number of bodies like our sun.

1982 Billboard 28 Aug. 39/3 In the past I've had success producing..in what I feel was a more traditional style. Now I'm looking toward a new audience.

2007 K. H. Hemmings Descendants iii. xxx. 188 I look toward the beach to see if the boy caught the wave.

b. colloquial (chiefly U.S.). to look toward (a person): to drink to a person's health. Chiefly as a toast, in I look toward you, here's looking toward you. Cf. to look towards —— 1b at Phrasal verbs 2, here's looking at you at Phrases 1a(h). Now rare.

ΚΠ

1860 F. C. L. Wraxall Only Woman III. vii. 142 ‘I look toward you sir, and madam,’ he remarked parenthetically, as he took a huge swig of brandy and water.

1893 Atlanta Constit. 13 May 4/6 So, here's looking toward you, gentlemen.

1923 Boston Sunday Globe 30 Sept. 58/2 I looks toward you commander.

1940 Delphos (Ohio) Herald 7 Sept. Here's looking toward you!

2. intransitive. To tend, incline, or lead toward; to aim for.

ΚΠ

1584 R. Cosin Answer to Two Fyrst & Principall Treat. xiii. 40 All the woords thereof looking toward this purpose any waie.

1631 J. Burges Lawfulnes of Kneeling in Receiving Lords Supper xxiv. 94 This answer looks toward the matter.

a1658 O. Sedgwick Bowels of Tender Mercy (1661) ii. x. 552 Though it [sc. the hardening of the heart] be not absolute Apostacy, yet it looks toward it.

1796 J. P. Andrews Hist. Great Brit. II. viii. v. 169 That branch of sculpture which looks toward medals.

1846 Niles' National Reg. 25 Apr. 119/2 They neither take themselves nor advise us to take a single step which looks toward a preparation for war.

1881 University Palladium (Univ. Michigan) 23 15 In the spring of 1877 a movement was begun among the alumni looking toward the securing of a chapter house.

1932 T. J. Grayson Leaders & Periods Amer. Finance xiii. 278 The thing to do was to take no precipitate action looking toward resumption.

1974 Rotarian May 35/1 His museum..looks toward a larger role in the world community of art.

2002 L. M. Friedman Amer. Law in 20th Cent. xi. 342 The new law..looked toward a cap on Western Hemisphere immigrants.

to look towards ——

1. intransitive.

a. = to look toward —— 1a at Phrasal verbs 2.

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (intransitive)] > look in specific direction

to look toward ——c1225

to look towards ——1534

respect1555

to look ahead1805

1534 G. Gardynare Let. Yonge Gentylman f. x Streyght lokynge towardes it agayne, sawe the stone remoued.

1584 W. Warner Pan his Syrinx sig. C4^v Looking towards the sea, [we] remembred the burning of our ship.

a1649 G. Abbott Brief Notes Psalms (1651) 155 Therefore will I..longingly and prayerfully look towards thine holy sanctuary.

1692 T. Taylor tr. G. Daniel Voy. World Cartesius ii. 170 He looked towards the Earth, to see what Hour it was.

1719 D. Defoe Life Robinson Crusoe 97 In the Morning looking towards the Sea-side,..I saw something lye on the Shore bigger than ordinary.

1787 J. Madison Notes Deb. Federal Convent. 17 Sept. in Papers (1840) III. 1624 Doctor Franklin, looking towards the President's chair, at the back of which a rising sun happened to be painted, observed [etc.]

1848 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. June 760/2 I looked towards the city, and, behold, a dark cloud had gathered over it!

1870 W. Bottrell Trad. & Hearthside Stories W. Cornwall 104 When I looked towards the door again there was nobody nor nothing there.

1919 Boys' Life Nov. 24/3 Wi' that, he looks towards his men.

1991 J. Alvarez How Garcia Girls lost their Accents i. i. 16 The little boy looks towards his grandmother, unsure of what to think.

2012 Independent 18 July 21/4 Looking towards the sky, he said he was just hoping for some good weather soon that he could harvest the crops he needs.

b. colloquial. to look towards (a person): to drink to a person's health. Chiefly as a toast, in I look towards you, here's looking towards you. Cf. to look toward (a person) at Phrasal verbs 2, here's looking at you at Phrases 1a(h). Now rare.

ΘΚΠ

the world > food and drink > drink > drinking > [verb (intransitive)] > drink intoxicating liquor > drink toasts or healths

hailc1275

to drink (a person's) hailc1325

to drink good lucka1529

pledge1546

carouse1583

skola1599

to drink off (or eat) candle-ends1600

health1628

to begin to a person1629

bumper1691

toast1699

to drink hob or nob, hob a nob1756

hob-nob1763

hobber-nob1800

to look towards (a person)1833

propine1887

ganbei1940

the world > food and drink > drink > drinking > [verb (transitive)] > drink intoxicating liquor > pledge or toast

to drink to1530

pledge1546

brince?1567

brinks1568

carouse1583

dipa1657

toast1700

respect1708

bumper?1764

to look toward ——1833

propine1887

skol1935

ganbei1976

1833 New Sporting Mag. Feb. 253/2 I look towards you, sir; your health, Mr.——.

1848 W. M. Thackeray Vanity Fair liii. 475 The ladies drank to his 'ealth, and Mr. Moss, in the most polite manner ‘looked towards him’.

1854 ‘C. Bede’ Further Adventures Mr. Verdant Green (ed. 2) iii. 22 The Pet..drank their healths with the prefatory remark, ‘I looks to-wards you gents!’

1890 B. L. Farjeon Myst. M. Felix I. iii. 26 Mrs. Middlemore,..you're a lady after my own heart... Here's looking towards you.

1910 A. Noyes Coll. Poems I. 241 I looks to-wards you, Prester John, you've done us very proud!

1938 Sunday Sun (Baltimore) 2 Oct. (This Week Mag.) 19/2 ‘Aggie May,’ said Emmeline, raising her glass, ‘I looks towards you.’

2. intransitive. = to look toward —— 2 at Phrasal verbs 2.

ΚΠ

1621 M. Wroth Countesse of Mountgomeries Urania ii. 259 No thought of my side tended, or looked towards ill.

1654 J. Owen Doctr. Saints Perseverance xv. 370 That which looketh towards the Argument under Consideration, appeareth first in Sect. 31.

1778 Gentleman's & London Mag. May 275/1 The house rejected an absentee tax, because it looked towards a land-tax.

1835 W. Kirby On Power of God in Creation of Animals II. xxiv. 514 The bear seems to look towards the sloth.

1879 A. W. Tourgée Fool's Errand xliv. 330 There could be nothing looking towards marriage between us.

1915 Michigan Alumnus Mar. 312/2 Steps will be taking looking towards a joint luncheon of alumni of Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Cornell and Michigan.

1972 New Scientist 4 May 252 Steelmen the world over are looking towards direct reduction as a means for turning iron ore into steel in the future.

2006 Y. Petrova in P. Nilan & C. Feixa Global Youth? 201 Pluri-ethnic-multicultural identities which look towards a genuinely multicultural world.

to look unto ——

Now archaic.

intransitive. = to look to —— at Phrasal verbs 2 (in various senses).Frequently in Biblical language and uses alluding to this.

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (transitive)] > look in specific direction

to look unto ——a1400

respect1555

to look to ——1604

the mind > attention and judgement > attention > take notice of, heed [verb (transitive)] > direct attention, thought, etc.

lookeOE

i-thenchec897

to look to ——OE

send?c1420

to look upon ——c1515

to look unto ——1526

face1630

turn1842

the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (transitive)] > look at or behold

to look to ——eOE

showeOE

lookeOE

lookOE

behold971

beseec1000

seeOE

to see on ——OE

yseeOE

belookc1175

to look against ——c1225

to lay eyes onc1230

biwaita1250

holde1303

aseea1325

to see upon ——a1350

rewardc1350

to look of ——?c1400

eyea1425

visage1450

aviewa1513

gove1513

regard1523

to look unto ——1545

respect1567

survise1600

aspect1610

reflect1611

inspeculate1694

spectate1709

to look for ——1786

deek1825

lookit1908

lamp1916

the world > action or operation > manner of action > care, carefulness, or attention > take care about [verb (transitive)] > see to or about

yemec897

to look to ——c1300

attendc1315

seea1350

to see to ——a1382

attenda1400

await?c1430

to wait to ——c1440

to see unto ——a1470

intentc1500

visit?1518

to see after ——1544

to look unto ——1545

attend1611

to see about ——1710

the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > care, protection, or charge > care for, protect, or have charge of [verb (transitive)] > take care of or look after

yknowOE

knowlOE

to care forc1230

bihedec1250

beseec1300

to look to ——c1300

seea1325

await1393

observea1425

procurea1425

to look after ——1487

to take (also have) regard to (or of)a1500

regard1526

to see after ——1544

to look unto ——1545

attendc1572

to take care of1579

curea1618

tend1631

to look over ——1670

the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > vigilance > keeping watch > keep watch on [verb (transitive)]

biwitieOE

to look to ——c1330

watchc1330

to make or lay await onc1386

markc1400

to wait to ——c1440

to keep (also have) an (or one's) eye on (also upon)a1450

waken1535

to look unto ——1594

to carry a wary (also watchful, etc.) eye on (also upon)1596

to look after ——a1616

overwatch1618

snokea1652

to look up1855

surveil1960

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 14333 Iesus he loked vnto þe lift.

1526 Bible (Tyndale) Heb. xii. 2 Lokynge vnto [Gk. ἀφορῶντες εἰς] Iesus, the auctor and fynnyssher of oure fayth.

1545 T. Raynald & R. Jonas in tr. E. Roesslin Byrth of Mankynde iv. sig. Y.v^v In a fayre garden..if it be not regarded and loken vnto, the weedes..wyll defourme and emperysshe the good grace of them.

1594 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 2 i. i. 208 Come sonnes away and looke vnto the maine.

1611 Bible (King James) Isa. xlv. 22 Looke vnto mee, and be ye saued.

1642 C. Vernon Considerations Excheqver 88 Abuses..will grow like ill weeds..unlesse they be looked unto and weeded out.

1710 B. Jenks tr. R. F. R. Bellarmino Ouranography v. vii. 244 There's Nothing so Animates and Heartens us on, as Looking unto Jesus.

1793 J. Lathrop Serm. Var. Subj. I. viii. 122 Look unto Christ, and be saved.

1835 T. Aird in Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. Feb. 187 Majestic men who looked unto the skies.

1879 R. Browning Dramatic Idyls 128 ‘Look unto me and be ye saved!’ saith God.

1961 Ebony Dec. 139/1 However low man may sink in the scale, he tends to look unto the hills from whence cometh his help.

2010 Marketing (Nexis) 10 Mar. 12 Foundem..should take Marcus Aurelius' advice and look unto itself before blaming others for its own failure.

to look upon ——

1. intransitive. With adverb (formerly also adjective) complement or phrase: to regard with a specified expression, or with a specified feeling or attitude; = to look on —— 1 at Phrasal verbs 2.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > aspects of emotion > emotional attitude > hold, entertain, or cherish (a feeling) [verb (transitive)] > entertain a feeling towards

to look on ——lOE

owea1375

to look upon ——c1405

c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer Man of Law's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 997 He looked bisily Vp on this child.

c1475 Babees Bk. (Harl. 5086) (2002) i. 3 (MED) And yf they speke withe yow..Withe stable Eye loke vpone theym Rihte.

1573 J. Sanford tr. L. Guicciardini Garden of Pleasure f. 17^v The Cortizan..looked vppon hym wyth shewe and countenaunce of meruayle.

1594 L. Twyne tr. Patterne Painefull Aduentures ii. sig. B3 He looked vpon him with a wrathfull countenance.

1619 T. Middleton Inner-Temple Masque sig. A3^v Fishstreete loues me, e'en but from teeth outward, (The neerest Kin I haue) lookes shye vpon me.

a1640 P. Massinger Guardian iv. ii. 93 in 3 New Playes (1655) I look with sore eyes upon her good fortune, And wish it were mine own.

1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 37. ¶5 I look upon her with a mixture of Admiration and Pity.

1740 tr. C. de F. de Mouhy Fortunate Country Maid I. 271 I fancied he look'd something sweet upon me.

1847 F. Marryat Children of New Forest II. xi. 234 Edward was..satisfied that he was not quite looked upon with indifference by Patience Heatherstone.

1864 Ld. Tennyson Enoch Arden in Enoch Arden, etc. 4 And all men look'd upon him favourably.

1905 Med. News (N.Y.) 14 Jan. 85/2 Post menopause bleeding must be looked upon..with some suspicion of the presence of cancer.

1967 R. Silverberg Voyagers in Time p. x Among some modern science-fiction writers, stories of time-travel are looked upon with faint disdain, because they are not really ‘scientific’.

2011 N.Y. Rev. Bks. 26 May 35/4 The Karmapa..is unique in that both Beijing and the Dalai Lama look upon him favorably.

2. intransitive. To regard, pay heed to; esp. to regard with favour, hold in esteem. Cf. to look on —— 3 at Phrasal verbs 2. Now rare (English regional in later use).

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > [verb (transitive)]

haveeOE

weenc1000

praisec1250

setc1374

set by1393

endaunt1399

prizec1400

reverencec1400

tender1439

repute1445

to have (also make, take) regard to or that1457

to take, make, set (no) count of (upon, by)c1475

pricec1480

to make (great, etc.) account (also count, esteem, estimation, reckoning, regard, store) of1483

force1509

to look upon ——c1515

to have (also hold) in estimationc1522

to make reckoning of1525

esteem1530

regard1533

to tell, make, hold, set (great, little, no) store of1540

value1549

to make dainty of (anything)1555

reckon1576

to be struck on1602

agrade1611

respect1613

beteem1627

appreciate1648

to put, set (an) esteem, a high, low esteem upon1665

to think small beer of1816

to think the world of1826

existimate1847

reckon1919

rate1973

the mind > attention and judgement > attention > take notice of, heed [verb (transitive)] > direct attention, thought, etc.

lookeOE

i-thenchec897

to look to ——OE

send?c1420

to look upon ——c1515

to look unto ——1526

face1630

turn1842

the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > favour > win favour with [verb (transitive)] > favour

to let well ofc1330

favour1340

to take, accept, receive in greec1374

likea1393

smilec1400

to take agreea1425

agreec1450

to fawn on, upon1477

to bear good mind toa1516

to look upon ——c1515

to look on ——1540

vouchsafe1582

conceit1589

relish1594

to look to ——1611

impatronize1629

aspect1663

sympathize1828

to put one's money on1847

c1515 in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eng. Hist. (1846) 3rd Ser. I. 181 Yf yt had nott ben lokyd upon betymes, I suppose yt wold not have ben abull to have contynuyd a Monastery ffower yeres.

1533 T. Cromwell Let. 9 July in R. B. Merriman Life & Lett. T. Cromwell (1902) I. 357 For lacke..whereof ye haue forfaited to the kinges highnes the Somme of one thousande markes which..ye ought substaunciallye to loke uppon for the king is no person to be deluded..with all.

1533 J. Gau tr. C. Pedersen Richt Vay 101 God hes lukit apone ye powerte of his madine or seruand.

1611 Bible (King James) 2 Macc. vii. 6 The Lord God looketh vpon vs.

1802 M. M. Sherwood Susan Gray 48 You are such a dowdy, such a country Joan, no one will look upon you.

1887 W. D. Parish & W. F. Shaw Dict. Kentish Dial. Look upon, to favour, to regard kindly. ‘He's bin an ole sarvent, and therefore I dessay they look upon 'im.’

3. intransitive.

a. To regard as being something specified. Also: †to consider to be something specified; also with noun complement (obsolete). Cf. to look on —— 2 at Phrasal verbs 2.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > judgement or decision > evaluation, estimation, appraisal > appraise, estimate [verb (transitive)] > consider to be, account as

telleOE

talec897

seeOE

letc1000

holdc1200

reckon1340

aima1382

accounta1387

counta1387

judgec1390

takea1400

countc1400

receivec1400

existimatec1430

to look on ——?c1430

makec1440

reputea1449

suppose1474

treatc1485

determinea1513

recount?c1525

esteem1526

believe1533

estimate?1533

ascribe1535

consider1539

regard1547

count1553

to look upon ——1553

take1561

reck1567

eye?1593

censure1597

subscribe1600

perhibit1613

behold1642

resent1642

attributea1657

fancy1662

vogue1675

decount1762

to put down1788

to set down1798

rate1854

have1867

mean1878

1553 J. Bradford Let. 4 July in M. Coverdale Certain Lett. Martyrs (1564) 331 This should we looke vppon as a sygne of gods anger procured by our synnes.

1609 T. Cooper Churches Deliv. i. 19 Thus wiues are kept fasting, to be lookt vppon as babies.

1662 E. Stillingfleet Origines Sacræ iii. ii. 443 Both Pythagoras and Plato looked upon constitutionem sylvæ to bee opus providentiæ.

1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 191. ⁋7 This Morning..I set up an Equipage which I look upon to be the gayest in the Town.

1727 ‘S. Brunt’ Voy. to Cacklogallinia 12 An old Woman, whom they look'd upon a Prophetess.

1756 C. Lucas Ess. Waters i. 151 The antients looked upon water as the..first principle of all created things.

1822 Examiner 31 Mar. 203/1 You are looked upon as a kind lord.

1860 Harper's Mag. Apr. 630/1 A wife who does not look upon him merely as a money-machine.

1903 Independent 12 Nov. 2663/1 The mass of voters look upon him as a ‘silk stocking’—as one who neither understands nor sympathizes with their life.

1961 Amateur Gardening 14 Oct. 19/3 Nerines are often looked upon as bulbs to grow in favoured gardens.

2002 R. Menschel Markets, Mobs & Mayhem p. xix Investors should have looked upon it as an opportunity to buy true value.

b. to look upon it: to be of the opinion that something is the case. Now rare.

ΚΠ

1672 tr. P. de Clérembault Conversations vi. 142 I look upon it [Fr. ie regarde], that these Princes debase rather than exalt themselves, in affecting such a Grandeur.

1681 Triall H. Carr 19 He alwayes looked upon it that all did come from Carr.

1744 J. Randall Syst. Geogr. ii. xxxi. 656 The Civil Government concur, looking upon it, that a Wife and Family are the surest Pledges of a Man's Fidelity.

1793 J. Smeaton Narr. Edystone Lighthouse (ed. 2) §300 I now looked upon it that we might think ourselves secure.

1834 J. Morier Ayesha III. i. 10 I have always looked upon it that mercy, properly exercised by the hand of power, increases strength.

1884 Argosy May 392 She looked upon it that the girl was as good as married to one of these rich and desirable men.

1939 Weekly Irish Times 24 June 15/2 They looked upon it that they were answerable for the mode in which they used the gifts which God had given them.

This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2015; most recently modified version published online June 2022).

单词	look
释义	lookn. Brit. /lʊk/, U.S. /lʊk/ Forms: Middle English lok, Middle English luke (northern), Middle English–1500s loke, Middle English–1600s looke, Middle English– look, 1500s lowke; English regional (northern) 1700s– luik, 1800s leuk, 1800s– leeak (Yorkshire); Scottish pre-1700 leuke, pre-1700 loik, pre-1700 louk, pre-1700 luike, pre-1700 luk, pre-1700 luyk, pre-1700 lwik, pre-1700 1700s–1800s luke, pre-1700 1700s– look, pre-1700 (1800s Shetland) luik, 1700s– leuk. Origin: Formed within English, by conversion. Etymon: look v. Etymology: < look v. Compare looking n. 1. a. The action or an act of looking; an act of directing the eyes or countenance in order to look at someone or something; a glance of the eyes. Also in extended use: an act of contemplating or examining an immaterial or abstract thing. Frequently with at. Also (in later use) with adverb of direction.In quot. a1393: †sight, view (obsolete). ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > sight of something > [noun] looka1200 sight?c1225 visc1340 visea1450 respection?a1475 viewa1500 prospection?1530 kenningc1540 conspect1548 ken1594 spectacle1625 styme1776 perception1817 the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > a look or glance > [noun] eie wurpc950 laitc1175 looka1200 lecha1250 sightc1275 insighta1375 blushc1390 castc1400 glentc1400 blenkc1440 regardc1450 ray1531 view1546 beam of sight1579 eye-beam1583 eyewink1591 blink1594 aspecta1616 benda1616 eyeshot1615 eye-casta1669 twire1676 ken1736 Magdalene-look1752 glimmering1759 deek1833 wink1847 deck1853 vision1855 pipe1865 skeg1876 dekko1894 screw1904 slant1911 gander1914 squiz1916 butcher's hook1934 butcher's1936 gawk1940 bo-peep1941 nose1976 a1200 (?OE) MS Trin. Cambr. in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1873) 2nd Ser. 207 Ȝif he understant þat he habbe ofte agilt..mid unluued loke..þenne wile his heorte aken and smerten. a1200 MS Trin. Cambr. in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1873) 2nd Ser. 215 Ȝif he wliteð mid stefne for to liken wimmannen, oðer ledeð hem his life eȝen for to sechen hire loke, þenne beð he laht forto leden to helle. a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) vii. l. 2791 In alle mennes lok A part up in his hond he tok. c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer Man of Law's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 955 At the firste look he on hir sette. ?a1475 Ludus Coventriae (1922) 368 (MED) Tho teynt tretouris schul tene yif my loke on hem louris. c1500 (?a1437) Kingis Quair (1939) li (MED) My luke unto the hevin I threwe furthwith. 1593 W. Shakespeare Venus & Adonis sig. D^v For lookes kill loue, and loue by lookes reuiueth. View more context for this quotation 1671 J. Brown Horologiographia iii. 51 It stands at an Angle above 90 degrees as a look at the little Semi-circle on the Head sheweth. 1688 T. Shadwell Squire of Alsatia ii. 22 Whenever we star'd upon em, they would steal a look at us. 1753 L. M. tr. J. Du Bosc Accomplish'd Woman II. ix. 125 Their every action is forced; their looks and smiles are all studied. 1760 L. Sterne Life Tristram Shandy I. xii. 68 Yorick replied, with a look up, and a gentle squeeze of Eugenius's hand. 1798 C. Smith Young Philosopher III. 120 Medora..watched her every look with distressing solicitude. 1807 Salmagundi 31 Dec. 383 Lovely virgins..darting imperial looks of conquest. 1813 W. Scott Rokeby i. xix. 29 One dying look he upward cast. 1845 Yale Lit. Mag. Feb. 181 The downward look betokened the man of artifice and calculation; the ‘look around’ the man of observation, and the look upwards the man of reflection. 1887 R. Buchanan (title) A look round literature. 1931 R. Whitfield in O. Penzler Black Lizard Big Bk. of Pulps (2007) 577/1 They're framing me, Bess—maybe we'd better try Chi for a look around. 1947 Ann. Reg. 1946 157 Field-Marshal Smuts found time to fly to Berlin for what he described as a ‘private look around’ with no special..objectives. 1967 E. Short Embroidery & Fabric Collage i. 18 A look round a well-designed room of the present day. 2000 T. Clancy Bear & Dragon (2001) xxiii. 364 The diplomat handling the other side of the table..reacted no more than he might on getting the check in a restaurant and finding that he'd been overcharged about five bucks' worth. Not even a look up. 2005 Time Out N.Y. 7 Apr. 72/2 Those hoping for a look at the institution's vast collection of coins, textiles and other cultural artifacts..will be disappointed. b. With of or modifying word. An expression of a specified thought or feeling by looking.come-hither look: see come-hither adj.. dirty look: see dirty adj. ΚΠ a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) ii. l. 1350 (MED) Sche syketh with a pitous lok And feigneth seknesse of the See. a1470 T. Malory Morte Darthur (Winch. Coll. 13) (1990) I. 229 My presoner thou shalt be for all thy proude lokys. 1535 Bible (Coverdale) Psalms xvii[i]. 27 Thou shalt..bringe downe the hye lokes of the proude. 1576 A. Fleming tr. Hippocrates in Panoplie Epist. 281 Hee casting vppon mee a sower visage, and a sterne looke. 1635 J. Hayward tr. G. F. Biondi Donzella Desterrada 97 It being not likely that shee should ever get a good looke of her Father. 1686 tr. J. Chardin Coronation Solyman 111 in Trav. Persia There was not one living soul that vouchsaf'd him a kind look. 1703 N. Rowe Fair Penitent i. i. 109 With looks averse, and Eyes that froze me. 1774 Lady's Mag. Nov. 580/2 Casting looks of fury upon his rival and his mistress. 1810 W. Scott Lady of Lake iii. 112 Roderick, with impatient look. 1898 Railway Conductor May 334/1 He turned and flashed a look into her eyes—a look of such fierce and hostile understanding that the young girl stood for an instant as one transfixed. 1956 P. H. Johnson Last Resort x. 49 He was regarding her with a tender, worried look. 1981 J. Gardam Hollow Land vii. 105 Mr. Teesdale gave her a quick sharp look. 2011 A. I. Blyth tr. F. Florian Days of King ii. 22 The lieutenant..cast a look of scorn at the brown-haired, unmarried Catholic Switzer. 2. a. A person's (or animal's) appearance, esp. that of his or her countenance; expression of the eyes or the face; personal appearance or aspect. †of a good (also ugly, etc.) look: of good (or ugly, etc.) appearance (obsolete). ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > thing seen > appearance or aspect > [noun] > facial appearance or expression cheerc1225 lookinga1325 countenancec1330 frontc1374 looka1400 looksc1400 aspect1590 brow1598 cast1653 mien1680 expression1830 the mind > attention and judgement > beauty > pleasing appearance > [adjective] faireOE comelyOE winlyOE goodlyOE hendya1250 hendc1275 quaintc1300 seemlyc1305 tidya1325 avenant1340 honestc1384 sightya1387 properc1390 well beseena1393 queema1400 speciousa1400 featousc1400 parisantc1400 rekenc1400 well-favoureda1438 wellc1450 spectable?a1475 delicatec1480 jollya1500 bonny?a1513 snog1513 viewlyc1536 goodlikec1550 sightly1555 sightful1565 beholdinga1586 eyesome?1587 decent1600 vage1604 prospicuous1605 eyely1614 fashionable1630 well-looking1638 softa1643 fineish1647 well-looked1660 of a good (also ugly, etc.) look1700 likely-looked1709 sonsy1720 smiling1725 aspectable1731 smirkya1758 likely-looking1771 respectable1776 magnificent-looking1790 producible1792 presentable1800 good-looking1804 nice-looking1807 bonnyish1855 spick1882 eyeable1887 aegyo2007 a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Fairf. 14) l. 3862 (MED) Gleande ho was for-soþ of loke. a1425 (?a1300) Arthour & Merlin (Linc. Inn) (1973) l. 1584 Þe whyte dragoun lay him by Steorne of lok and grysly. c1430 (c1386) G. Chaucer Legend Good Women (Cambr. Gg.4.27) (1879) l. 1605 And of his lok as real as a leoun. ?1507 W. Dunbar Tua Mariit Wemen (Rouen) in Poems (1998) I. 48 Be of ȝour luke like innocentis, thoght ȝe haif euill myndis. 1548 Hall's Vnion: Edward IV f. ccxxxvii^v This palenes of visage, and dedly loke doth prognosticate y^e time of my death. 1611 Bible (King James) Ecclus. xix. 29 A man may bee knowen by his looke . View more context for this quotation 1632 J. Hayward tr. G. F. Biondi Eromena 68 Being the first time that a joyfull looke was seene in that Court, sithence the departure of the Princesse. 1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 99 The Mother Cow must wear a low'ring look . View more context for this quotation 1700 T. Brown Amusem. Serious & Comical xi. 146 I see another Man of a very good Look come into the Circle, and no body takes the least Notice of him. 1713 Guardian No. 152. ⁋8 The Leader was of an ugly Look, and gigantick Stature. 1724 A. Ramsay Vision in Ever Green I. xi. 218 With bauld forbidding Luke. 1747 S. Richardson Clarissa I. ii. 8 Indeed, gay and lively as he is, he has not the look of an impudent man. 1809 B. H. Malkin tr. A. R. Le Sage Adventures Gil Blas III. vii. ii. 34 They had all the look of a deputation from a better world. 1867 A. Trollope Last Chron. Barset I. xxii. 190 The look of his face as he spoke was by no means pleasant. 1906 J. Galsworthy Man of Prop. 29 The Rembrandtesque effect of his great head..was spoiled by the moustache, which imparted a somewhat military look to his face. 1949 F. Towers Tea with Mr. Rochester (1952) 50 Richard Harkness stood at the altar steps. To Lisby he had a rather a vulpine look. 1995 J. Banville Athena 211 Morden had the look of a schoolboy who has pulled off a glorious prank. b. In plural in same sense. Later usually restricted to relatively permanent features; also spec.: attractive or beautiful appearance; = good looks n. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > beauty > [noun] > specifically of humans fairnessOE beautya1350 looksc1400 pertnessc1450 well-favouredness1545 thews1567 good looks1591 bonniness1603 good-lookingness1828 the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > thing seen > appearance or aspect > [noun] > facial appearance or expression cheerc1225 lookinga1325 countenancec1330 frontc1374 looka1400 looksc1400 aspect1590 brow1598 cast1653 mien1680 expression1830 c1400 (?c1380) Pearl l. 1134 (MED) So worþly whyt wern wedez hys, His lokez symple, hymself so gent. 1564 N. Haward tr. Eutropius Briefe Chron. ii. sig. D.vii^v After they were dead keping stil theyr grim lokes. 1589 R. Greene Menaphon sig. E2 At last her eyes glaunced on the lookes of Melicertus. c1616 R. C. Times' Whistle (1871) iii. 960 Most of our women are extreamly proud Of their faire lookes. 1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iv, in tr. Virgil Wks. 133 Lean are their Looks, and shagged is their Hair. View more context for this quotation 1709 G. Berkeley Ess. New Theory of Vision §9. 6 We do often see Shame or Fear in the Looks of a Man. 1766 O. Goldsmith Vicar of Wakefield II. x. 159 When I survey these emaciated looks, and hear those groans. 1834 G. Thorburn Forty Years' Resid. Amer. 165 The light step, the ruddy cheek, and healthy looks of her active daughters. 1896 A. E. Housman Shropshire Lad xxiii. 33 And few that will carry their looks or their truth to the grave. 1937 R. K. Narayan Bachelor of Arts vi. 60 Why did he think of her so much? Was it her looks? 1981 M. West Clowns of God iv. 83 Domenico Guiliano Francone, chauffeur and man of confidence to his Eminence, was, in looks and character, an original. 2008 P. Gay Modernism v. 112 He is serious, even grave, posing in front of a neutral green background, stressing his gaunt looks. 3. Of an inanimate object or immaterial thing: appearance, esp. as expressive of its quality or nature. Also with modifying word. Also in plural in same sense. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > thing seen > appearance or aspect > [noun] onseneeOE bleea1000 shapeOE ylikeOE laitc1175 semblanta1225 sightc1275 fare1297 showingc1300 specea1325 parelc1330 guise1340 countenance1362 semblance?a1366 apparel1377 regardc1380 apparencec1384 imagec1384 spicec1384 overseeminga1398 kenninga1400 seemingc1400 visage1422 rinda1450 semenauntc1450 'pearance1456 outwardc1475 representation1489 favour?a1500 figurea1522 assemblant1523 prospect?1533 respect1535 visure1545 perceiverance1546 outwardshine1549 view1556 species1559 utter-shape1566 look1567 physiognomy1567 face1572 paintry1573 visor1575 mienc1586 superficies?1589 behaviour1590 aspect1594 complexion1597 confrontment1604 show1604 aira1616 beseeminga1616 formality1615 resemblancea1616 blush1620 upcomea1630 presentment1637 scheme1655 sensation1662 visibility1669 plumage1707 facies1727 remark1748 extrinsica1797 exterior1801 showance1820 the cut of one's jib1823 personnel1839 personal appearance1842 what-like1853 look-see1898 outwall1933 visuality1938 prosopon1947 1567 J. Maplet Greene Forest f. 10^v A certaine vaine of the earth,..having the verie looke and face of Golde. 1622 F. Rous Dis. of Time ii. 38 True it is, that Christians beholding the beautie of vertue, they loue the looke of it, and highly esteeme it. 1656 tr. T. Hobbes Elements Philos. iv. xxv. 298 When we dream, we admire neither the places nor the looks of the things that appear to us. 1710 T. Fuller Pharmacopœia Extemporanea 411 This colourless Syrup..gives no unpleasing colour, nor alters the look of the Medicine in the least. 1782 W. Cowper Conversation in Poems 255 Though such continual zigzags in a book, Such drunken reelings have an aukward look. 1830 Fraser's Mag. July 672/1 Earth, assuming its looks of wintry desolation, added a deeper shadow to the sorrows of human life. 1847 L. Hunt Men, Women, & Bks. II. xi. 269 What curious little circumstances conspired to give a look even of fabulous and novel-like interest to his adventures. 1877 W. H. Russell Prince of Wales' Tour viii. 344 There are no minarets, mosques or Hindoo temples, to detract from the European look of the place. 1904 H. Adams Mont-Saint-Michel & Chartres iv. 45 The façade itself has a distinctly military look, as though a fortress had been altered into a church. 1986 D. Prater Ringing Glass ii. 51 The look of the volume, now that it had at last appeared, pleased him greatly. 2007 B. Friesen Bk. of Beasts (2008) 67 James knew the look of the room would still shock his other grandmother. 4. Fashion. An appearance, style, or effect (usually of a specified kind) of dress, styling, etc.In earliest quots. frequently in new look (new look n.).wet look: see wet adj. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > fashionableness > [noun] > fashionable appearance or effect look1920 1920 Boot & Shoe Recorder 21 Feb. 111/2 Lynn shoes take on a new look, which is called ‘the Lynn Look’. 1921 Woman's Home Compan. Oct. 59/3 If you like a chemise model, and want to give it a new look, here is a French idea in the way of trimming. 1935 Times 30 Sept. (advt.) 13/5 This season if you would be distinctively dressed your clothes must have the ‘new look’. 1939 Vogue 15 Apr. 2 (advt.) Accent on That Fresh Young Look. 1940 Mademoiselle Mar. 56 Formold created for you that Tall Look of 1940. 1966 Listener 3 Feb. 171/1 This year..the geometrical look is in. 1971 Daily Mail 3 Feb. 3 A specially-created hair-style to complete the hot-pants look. 1973 Sunday Times 28 Jan. 43/2 The clothes are created on them, and a whole look is painstakingly put together. 1974 Country Life 17 Jan. 107/1 The peasant look in knitwear. 1986 Hair Flair Sept. 9/1 We used the new..perm to create four very different looks, two on short hair and two on longer locks. 2012 Vanity Fair Mar. 385/1 The velvet-and-heels look of the past is out of the question. Phrases P1. With prepositions. a. at a look: at a (single) glance, on cursory examination. Now rare. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > sight of something > [adverb] > at (first) sight at (the, as to the) first sightc1390 at prime facea1413 by the first visage1422 at a lookc1450 on (also upon) (the) view of1489 prima faciec1500 at one sight1508 at the first show of1549 at first gaze1577 prima fronte1622 on (also in) the face of ita1656 on the view1823 c1450 (?a1400) Wars Alexander (Ashm.) l. 5256 (MED) Him þoȝt hire like at a loke his lady his modire. 1646 Z. Boyd Psalms David (ed. 2) lvi. sig. G7^v My wandrings thou both here & there dost tell ev'n at a look. 1701 R. Steele Christian Hero iv. 81 Since Joy is Communicative, 'tis reasonable that Grief should be Contagious, both which are seen and felt at a look. 1830 J. Banim Denounced I. 254 Philip of Crana recognised him at a look. 1893 R. L. Stevenson Catriona xix. 225 She rose as I came in, and I knew her at a look. 1929 Boston Sunday Globe 30 June (Mag.) 15/1 Larson inspected him thoughtfully, and read him at a look. b. by (also from) the look(s): judging by the appearance (of a person, thing, etc.). ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > thing seen > appearance or aspect > [adverb] by semblant?a1366 by (also of) semblety?1553 by (also from) the look(s)1625 1625 S. Purchas Pilgrimes IV. ix. xx. 1818 Looke on the Map, and tell me if any Countrey in the World promiseth more by the lookes then it. 1672 R. Boyle Ess. Origine & Virtues Gems i. 42 The Mineral Fumes had so oddly ting'd it [sc. a sapphire], that in his opinion it might, by the Looks, pass (rather) for a Chalcedonian. 1753 S. Richardson Hist. Sir Charles Grandison II. iv. 40 If you fall I shall have the worst of it, from the looks of the matter. 1850 J. Gallaher Western Sketch-bk. 378 I know that he is a scholar, by the looks of him. 1883 R. Cleland Inchbracken iv. 28 It micht be e'en a bairn by the looks o' the bun'le. 1923 ‘B. M. Bower’ Parowan Bonanza v. 54 You're just ahead of a big storm, by the looks, Mr. Rayfield. 1939 ‘G. Orwell’ Coming up for Air iv. i. 219 A big Council housing estate, by the look of it. 1959 S. Delaney Taste of Honey (1960) 31 They only just made it too, from the look of his wife. 1975 J. Symons Three Pipe Probl. ix. 65 Acting doesn't pay too well from the looks of it. 2008 N. Le Boat 219 Teenagers, by the looks. c. in good (also bad) looks: having a favourable or unfavourable appearance; appearing in the specified manner. Also in one's best (also worst) looks. Now somewhat archaic. ΘΚΠ the world > health and disease > [adverb] > healthily > in good health in good liking1611 in good (also bad) looks1695 (to be) in flesh1707 bloomingly1831 the mind > attention and judgement > beauty > pleasing appearance > [adverb] fairlyOE comelyOE hendly?c1225 goodlyc1275 seemlya1325 sweet1338 quaintly1340 properlyc1390 well?a1400 comelilyc1400 seemlilyc1400 jollilyc1426 formally1548 handsomely1560 sightly1592 handsome1600 winsomely17.. nicely1714 in one's best (also worst) looks1816 presentably1848 1695 E. Howard Ess. Pastoral sig. E2^v Innocence in her best Looks and native Complexion. 1797 Sporting Mag. Jan. 171/2 Y. I am told, thinks he does all, if he keeps the boys in good looks. 1816 J. Austen Emma I. i. 15 Every body in their best looks . View more context for this quotation 1824 Countess Granville Let. June (1894) I. 300 I hear Mme. Falck is in very bad looks. 1851 Chambers's Edinb. Jrnl. 11 Jan. 27/1 I was conscious of being in a most amiable mood, and not in my worst looks. 1901 J. Sturgis Stephen Calinari (U.S. ed.) xxiii. 166 There am I alone, in my best looks, heart-free, waiting. 1951 G. Heyer Quiet Gentleman xix. 290 Marianne is in very good looks. 2006 P. Gregory Boleyn Inheritance (2007) 355 What a curious queen this one from Cleves has turned out to be! She is in good looks. d. on (also †upon) the look: engaged in searching for something; keeping watch. Cf. on (also upon) the lookout at lookout n. Phrases 2. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > endeavour > searching or seeking > engaged in searching for [phrase] in the wind1540 in search of1563 on (also upon) the look1716 1716 R. Wodrow Corr. (1843) II. 163 The Government needs not be upon the look to distinguish between Non-jurors among Presbyterians and them. 1819 Ld. Byron Don Juan: Canto II clxxiv. 206 At last her father's prows put out to sea, For certain merchantmen upon the look. 1836 Lady's Bk. Nov. 191/1 A pair of particularly shrewd dark eyes, that seemed always on the look for something. 1856 C. Nordhoff Merchant Vessel xvi. 192 Those craft that go out upon the look for sandal wood and tortoise shell. 1946 Billboard 12 Jan. 21/2 Frankie Carle's talent contest was on the look for kid performers over 12. 2004 P. Cheney Shakespeare, National Poet-Playwright 143 Jaggard was a publisher and businessman on the look for a market success. P2. With verbs. a. (a) to have the look of: to resemble in appearance; to appear to be, give the impression of being. ΚΠ a1533 Ld. Berners tr. Arthur of Brytayn (?1560) xxiv. sig. D.i/2 The Leoparde with the seuen heades..who hath the loke of a brim bore, and the herte of a lyon. 1647 A. Ross Mystagogvs Poeticvs 137 He hath the look of an ancient man, because he is the ancient of dayes. 1681 N. Lee Lucius Junius Brutus ii. 16 Now, by Jove, he has the look of a Pimp. 1724 ‘C. Johnson’ Gen. Hist. Pyrates v. 100 If he had the look of a Fury, his Humours and Passions, were suitable to it. 1784 W. Coxe Trav. Poland, Russia, Sweden, & Denmark I. iii. ii. 265 Some parts of this vast city have the look of a sequestered desert. 1838 J. Roby Seven Weeks in Belgium, Switzerland, Lombardy I. iii. 56 One old lady, having the look of a devotee, was going to mass. 1882 L. L. Lynch Shadowed by Three i. 12 The young man had the look of an American, a genuine Yankee. 1912 W. Gillette Too Much Johnson i. 26 You had the look of a man representing a wholesale or retail. 1964 F. M. López-Morillas tr. C. J. Cela Journey to Alcarria iii. 36 Brihuega..has the look of an old city, with a great many stone buildings, well-constructed houses, and big stout trees. 2011 Atlantic Nov. 24/1 Now in his early 20s, he had the look of a washed-out ex-con. (b) to have a look of: to resemble, esp. vaguely; to bring to mind the appearance of. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > relationship > similarity > render similar to [verb (transitive)] > be like, resemble, or take after > resemble vaguely in appearance to have a look of1816 1816 W. Scott Black Dwarf iii, in Tales of my Landlord 1st Ser. I. 58 He has a look of auld Humphrey Ettercap, the tinker, that perished in this very moss about five years syne. 1860 E. Eden Semi-attached Couple II. v. 62 This picture which I think has a great look of you. 1921 ‘E. M. Delafield’ Heel of Achilles xxvii. 430 Hasn't this fine fellow here got a look of his auntie? 2013 C. O'Flynn Mr. Lynch's Holiday xv. 90 The markings, the white paws, and his face—don't you think he has a look of him? b. to get (also have, take) a look of: †(a) to be looked at by (obsolete rare); (b) to catch sight of, glimpse; (in later use also) = Phrases 2d(b) (colloquial or regional in later use). ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (transitive)] > look at or behold > be looked at by to get (also have, take) a look ofa1616 a1616 W. Shakespeare Two Gentlemen of Verona (1623) ii. iv. 106 Too meane a seruant To haue a looke of such a worthy a Mistresse. View more context for this quotation 1669 G. Hutcheson Expos. Bk. Job xiv. 198/1 Saints were so low, as one in a grave, that they could not help themselves, not get a look of God. 1686 J. Renwick Two Godly Lett. (1751) ii. 8 O take a look of him as he is the being of beings. 1723 A. de la Mottraye Trav. II. ii. 45 The Inhabitants of the other Tents..ran to have a Look of me. 1794 Scots Mag. Nov. 731/2 He took a look of a pair of stockings lying on the counter. 1831 S. E. Ferrier Destiny I. xvi. 157 Will you not just do me the favour to fix a day when Miss Lucy and you will ride over, and take a look of my premises. 1857 Trans. Bombay Geogr. Soc. 1856–7 13 11 One..who seemed destined to close his connection with India before he had so much as had a look of it. 1901 Black Cat Jan. 11 Come in and take a look of the poor outcast. 2011 R. Arnaud in E. Lengyel Game Engine Gems I. ii. 24 Let's have a look of some design principles that are applied to provide the flexibility necessary to represent data in a common language. c. to like the look(s) of: to find pleasant, appealing, or attractive; to be favourably impressed by. Frequently in negative contexts. Cf. to like the sound of at sound n.³ 4f. ΚΠ 1651 R. Watson Ακολουθος: Second Faire Warning viii. 93 Not liking the lookes of that spirit which appeares readie at hand to conduct you. 1691 J. Dunton Voy. round World II. ix. 98 That last ugly hard word, which I don't like the Looks of—Fustigation. 1718 J. Ozell tr. J. F. Regnard & C. Dufresny Fair of St. Germain ii. iv. 28 I don't like the Look of that Fellow. 1750 Whitehall Evening-post 2–4 Aug. He said he liked the Looks of his Son, and should like him for an Apprentice. 1845 H. Cockton Love Match xxxiii. 337 I may be wrong, and I hope I am, but I don't like the look of it. 1889 Longman's Mag. Oct. 637 I like the look of you. Do you like the look of me as far as you have got? 1922 J. Buchan Huntingtower vii. 138 I took a walk and got a glisk of the House and I liked the look of it. 1986 L. Garfield December Rose xv. 102 Miranda didn't like the look of him. There was something about his glittering eyes that made her feel uncomfortable. 2012 Sunday Times (Nexis) 30 Dec. 7 Many people like the look of wind turbines—beauty is in the eye of the beholder. d. colloquial. to have (also take) a look: to look at a person or thing, esp. (in later use) for the purpose of examination; to inspect or scrutinize someone or something. Also in extended use: to investigate or consider an idea, prospect, or other immaterial thing. Cf. look v. 1a, look v. 4a. (a) With the object of one's gaze or consideration implied. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (transitive)] > examine or inspect through-lookc1175 spyc1325 to see overc1475 to see over ——1490 view1544 overview1549 sight1556 pervise1577 speculate1616 study1616 to have (also take) a look1673 to have a look1725 to eye over1795 scan1798 search1811 survey1860 skin1876 1673 J. Dryden Assignation iii. i. 25 I must have a look before we go. 1777 J. Whitfeld Conjectures on Tyndaris of Horace 21 Stept to Lloyd's, to take a look. 1830 J. P. Cobbett Jrnl. Tour in Italy 195 A young Roman lawyer..who is anxious, like myself, to have a look from the top of Mount Vesuvius. 1894 T. W. Hyde Following Greek Cross xxv. 153 About this time, Generals Meade and Warren came up on the rocks to take a look. 1920 P. Gibbs Realities of War iv. vii. 189 Come up and have a look, Jack. 1980 B. Jacoby Girl in Mirror ii. 65 Doctor. How is she? Mother. No change. Doctor. Let's have a look, shall we? 2006 I. Rankin Naming of Dead i. 13 I saw the sign yesterday... The one leading off the main drag. Decided I'd take a look. (b) With at. With the object of one's gaze or consideration specified. Cf. Phrases 2b(b). ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (transitive)] > examine or inspect through-lookc1175 spyc1325 to see overc1475 to see over ——1490 view1544 overview1549 sight1556 pervise1577 speculate1616 study1616 to have (also take) a look1673 to have a look1725 to eye over1795 scan1798 search1811 survey1860 skin1876 1725 D. Defoe Tour Great Brit. II. iii. 22 He would not go away without taking a look at the fine Gardens. 1769 G. S. Carey Shakespeare's Jubilee 16 Let's have a look at you before you go. 1831 New-Eng. Mag. Dec. 494 A great Irishman was brought up into the operating theatre, the other morning, for the class to have a look at. 1885 M. Collins Prettiest Woman in Warsaw I. ii. 29 In the meantime I shall have a look at Warsaw. 1925 A. Loos Gentlemen prefer Blondes iv. 109 So then Mons. Broussard stopped crying and put on his glasses and took a good look at us. 1960 J. Iggulden Storms of Summer 169 I'll get the quack at the Bush Hospital to have a look at it in the morning. 2012 Action on Hearing Loss Aug. 24 The government will soon replace Disability Living Allowance (DLA) with Personal Independence Payment (PIP) as part of its radical welfare reforms—we take a look at how this may affect you. (c) With adverbs or prepositional phrases, forming phrases corresponding to phrasal verbs at look v. Esp. in to have (also take) a look around (or round). ΚΠ 1829 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. July 77/2 You'd bether just take a bit of a look round on the worlt, an' bid it good by. 1898 H. G. Wells Jimmy Goggles God in Cosmopolitan Nov. 109/1 I stopped once, and..had a look up. 1913 Bull. Geogr. Soc. Philadelphia 11 11 On approaching a strong rapid we usually took a look ahead to ascertain where the best line of advance lay. 1925 L. H. Myers Clio (1945) vii. 49 I had a look through the window. 1932 J. Buchan Gap in Curtain ii. 97 He hoped, while in the country, to have a look round. a1965 W. G. Purcell St. Croix Trail Country (1967) 97 I stepped over to have a look down from the edge of the hill. 1982 P. Redmond Brookside (Mersey TV shooting script) (O.E.D. Archive) Episode 4. 70 Just take a look around and see how much is going on the side. 2011 A. Lewis Everybody Jam xiv. 99 I was having a quick look around. 2011 Independent 4 Aug. 13/1 Punk's not dead—it's just having..a look round a stately home. e. to cast a look: see cast v. 7a. to take that look (also smile, grin, etc.) off a person's face: see face n. Phrases 1l. to throw a look: see throw v.¹ 16b. P3. Idiomatic phrases. †a. In various phrases with the sense ‘in an instant, immediately’, as in the twinkling of a look. Cf. in the twinkling of an eye at twinkling n.¹ 3b. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > time > relative time > immediacy > [adverb] soonc825 ratheeOE rathelyeOE rekeneOE rekenlyOE thereright971 anonOE forth ona1000 coflyc1000 ferlyc1000 radlyOE swiftlyc1000 unyoreOE yareOE at the forme (also first) wordOE nowOE shortlya1050 rightOE here-rightlOE right anonlOE anonc1175 forthrightc1175 forthwithalc1175 skeetc1175 swithc1175 with and withc1175 anon-rightc1225 anon-rights?c1225 belivec1225 lightly?c1225 quickly?c1225 tidelyc1225 fastlyc1275 hastilyc1275 i-radlichec1275 as soon asc1290 aright1297 bedenea1300 in little wevea1300 withoute(n dwella1300 alrightc1300 as fast (as)c1300 at firstc1300 in placec1300 in the placec1300 mididonec1300 outrightc1300 prestc1300 streck13.. titec1300 without delayc1300 that stounds1303 rada1325 readya1325 apacec1325 albedenec1330 as (also also) titec1330 as blivec1330 as line rightc1330 as straight as linec1330 in anec1330 in presentc1330 newlyc1330 suddenlyc1330 titelyc1330 yernec1330 as soon1340 prestly1340 streckly1340 swithly?1370 evenlya1375 redelya1375 redlya1375 rifelya1375 yeplya1375 at one blastc1380 fresha1382 ripelyc1384 presentc1385 presently1385 without arrestc1385 readilyc1390 in the twinkling of a looka1393 derflya1400 forwhya1400 skeetlya1400 straighta1400 swifta1400 maintenantc1400 out of handc1400 wightc1400 at a startc1405 immediately1420 incontinent1425 there and then1428 onenec1429 forwithc1430 downright?a1439 agatec1440 at a tricec1440 right forth1440 withouten wonec1440 whipc1460 forthwith1461 undelayed1470 incessantly1472 at a momentc1475 right nowc1475 synec1475 incontinently1484 promptly1490 in the nonce?a1500 uncontinent1506 on (upon, in) the instant1509 in short1513 at a clap1519 by and by1526 straightway1526 at a twitch1528 at the first chop1528 maintenantly1528 on a tricea1529 with a tricec1530 at once1531 belively1532 straightwaysa1533 short days1533 undelayedly1534 fro hand1535 indelayedly1535 straight forth1536 betimesc1540 livelyc1540 upononc1540 suddenly1544 at one (or a) dash?1550 at (the) first dash?1550 instantly1552 forth of hand1564 upon the nines1568 on the nail1569 at (also in, with) a thoughtc1572 indilately1572 summarily1578 at one (a) chop1581 amain1587 straightwise1588 extempore1593 presto1598 upon the place1600 directly1604 instant1604 just now1606 with a siserary1607 promiscuously1609 at (in) one (an) instant1611 on (also upon) the momenta1616 at (formerly also on or upon) sight1617 hand to fist1634 fastisha1650 nextly1657 to rights1663 straightaway1663 slap1672 at first bolt1676 point-blank1679 in point1680 offhand1686 instanter1688 sonica1688 flush1701 like a thought1720 in a crack1725 momentary1725 bumbye1727 clacka1734 plumba1734 right away1734 momentarily1739 momentaneously1753 in a snap1768 right off1771 straight an end1778 abruptedly1784 in a whistle1784 slap-bang1785 bang?1795 right off the reel1798 in a whiff1800 in a flash1801 like a shot1809 momently1812 in a brace or couple of shakes1816 in a gird1825 (all) in a rush1829 in (also at, on) short (also quick) order1830 straightly1830 toot sweetc1830 in two twos1838 rectly1843 quick-stick1844 short metre1848 right1849 at the drop of a (occasionally the) hat1854 off the hooks1860 quicksticks1860 straight off1873 bang off1886 away1887 in quick sticks (also in a quick stick)1890 ek dum1895 tout de suite1895 bung1899 one time1899 prompt1910 yesterday1911 in two ups1934 presto changeo1946 now-now1966 presto change1987 a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) i. l. 3033 In a twinklinge of a lok His mannes forme ayein he tok. c1480 (a1400) St. Martha 46 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 286 Þe quhilk..a[s] fyr gregois brynt at a luke. 1508 W. Dunbar Goldyn Targe (Chepman & Myllar) in Poems (1998) I. 191 Sudaynly in the space of a luke All was hyne went. 1666 Thomas Law Bell-man (single sheet) Mans life is like a bubble in a brook, That's broken in the twinckling of a look? b. if looks could kill and variants: used to denote an expression of hostility in a look.Quot. 1714 appears to be an isolated early example. ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > hatred > hostility > denoting hostility in a look [phrase] if looks could kill1714 1714 J. Ozell tr. Molière Amphitryon iii. ii, in tr. Molière Wks. III. 276 If Looks cou'd bite [Fr. si des regards on pouvait mordre], I shou'd ha' been torn to pieces by this time. 1827 High Life III. xi. 222 Lady Glenallan looked at her, and if looks could kill, Lady Isabel had not lived. 1897 B. Stoker Dracula xvi. 216 If ever a face meant death—if looks could kill—we saw it at that moment. 1913 F. L. Barclay Broken Halo xxxvii. 372 If looks could slay, Margaret would not have left that room alive. 1943 K. Tennant Ride on Stranger iv. 31 Just then she saw me..and if looks could have killed! 2010 J. Donnelly Revolution (2011) vi. 36 If looks could kill, I'd be vapor. c. colloquial. for the look of the thing: for the sake of appearances. ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > pride > ostentation > for show or appearance [phrase] for (a) countenancec1386 for show1563 for the look of the thing1753 1753 S. Richardson Hist. Sir Charles Grandison VI. li. 370 The Bride-men and maids..would accept of his pew, which is over-against ours, for the look of the thing. 1837 New Monthly Mag. Apr. 543 I should certainly have liked my wife, just for the look of the thing, to have had a little independence of her own. 1876 A. Trollope Prime Minister IV. xiii. 217 ‘I shall go down and vote for them of course,’ said Mr. O'Mahony, ‘just for the look of the thing.’ 1910 ‘Saki’ Reginald in Russia 63 He often wished, for the look of the thing, that people would sometimes burn candles at his shrine. 1940 L. H. Myers Pool of Vishnu iv. v. 191 Why are they willing to die, and to send those whom they love to their death, for the sake of—what shall I call it?—the look of the thing? 2008 Western Gaz. (Nexis) 14 Aug. 6 People do not go to church for the look of the thing or for convention. d. colloquial (U.S.). a look (away) from: a short distance from. ΚΠ 1852 Knickerbocker Mag. 40 548 A heap of logs which they had been getting out on a quarter about a look from a branch near the old field on the Fatio grant. 1971 Hartford (Connecticut) Courant 21 Nov. 2 d/4 A well-appointed sewing room just a look away from something cooking on the stove. 1999 C. See Handyman ii. 12 It was still my old neighborhood,..ten minutes from downtown, and just a look away from the Hollywood Hills, the Hollywood Sign. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2015; most recently modified version published online June 2022). lookv. Brit. /lʊk/, U.S. /lʊk/ Forms: α. Old English loccia (Northumbrian, in prefixed forms), Old English locgia (Northumbrian, rare), Old English locian, Old English lokian (rare), Old English lucað (3rd singular present indicative, transmission error), Old English (before interrogative pronoun or adverb)–Middle English loc (imperative), late Old English lochian, early Middle English iloke (past participle), early Middle English locie, early Middle English logen (transmission error), early Middle English loke (past participle), early Middle English lokenn ( Ormulum), early Middle English lokie, Middle English leking (present participle, transmission error), Middle English loce, Middle English lok (past tense), Middle English lok, Middle English lokeand (present participle), Middle English loki (southern and south-west midlands), Middle English loky (southern and south-west midlands), Middle English lokye (south-west midlands), Middle English lokys (northern, imperative), Middle English los (northern, imperative), Middle English lowke (northern), Middle English luc (northern), Middle English luk (chiefly northern and north midlands), Middle English luke (chiefly northern and north midlands), Middle English luke (northern, past tense), Middle English lukk- (chiefly northern, inflected form), Middle English (1600s North American) locke, Middle English–1600s loke, Middle English–1600s looke, Middle English– look, late Middle English–1500s lokke, 1500s looken (archaic), 1500s louk, 1600s loock, 1900s– look-ted (past tense, U.S. regional (New York)); English regional 1600s lowk (Kent), 1600s 1800s– luck (northern, north midlands, and south-eastern), 1700s–1800s leak (northern), 1800s loak (Northumberland), 1800s– leeak (northern), 1800s– leuk (northern), 1800s– leukk (Cumberland), 1800s– lewk (Yorkshire), 1800s– li'ak (Durham), 1800s– luik (northern), 1800s– luk (northern), 1800s– luke (northern, north midlands, and south-western), 1800s– lukk (Shropshire), 1900s– leek (Cumberland), 1900s– lock (Somerset), 1900s– louk (Lincolnshire); Scottish pre-1700 laukit (past tense, probably transmission error), pre-1700 lewikit (past tense, probably transmission error), pre-1700 lewk, pre-1700 lok, pre-1700 loocke, pre-1700 looke, pre-1700 lookeing (present participle), pre-1700 louck, pre-1700 louick, pre-1700 louk, pre-1700 louke, pre-1700 lowke, pre-1700 luick, pre-1700 lukeing (present participle), pre-1700 lukyit (past tense, perhaps transmission error), pre-1700 luyk, pre-1700 luyke, pre-1700 lwik, pre-1700 lwk, pre-1700 lwyck, pre-1700 lwyk, pre-1700 1700s– leuk, pre-1700 1700s– look, pre-1700 1700s– luck, pre-1700 1700s– luk, pre-1700 1800s luke, pre-1700 1800s– luik, pre-1700 1900s– lukk, 1800s laek (Shetland), 1800s lieuk, 1800s loak, 1800s lyeuk, 1900s– ljook (Shetland), 1900s– ljuk (Shetland); Irish English (chiefly northern) 1600s 1800s– luck, 1800s– leuk, 1900s– luk. β. English regional (northern and north midlands), before personal pronoun in sense 9c 1800s– laa- (Cumberland), 1800s– lo, 1800s– loo, 1800s– loo', 1800s– lu-, 1900s– la' (Cumberland). Origin: A word inherited from Germanic. Etymology: Cognate with Old Saxon lōkon, Middle Dutch loeken, and probably Early Runic lokom, 1st singular or plural present indicative or 1st plural present optative (Weser estuary; 5th cent.) < the same Germanic base as Old High German luogēn to look furtively, to peek (Middle High German luogen, lūgen, German lugen: see note), further etymology unknown.The difference in consonant between German and the other the West Germanic languages has been explained in various ways, e.g. (i) assuming the German forms to reflect the Germanic base and the k -forms an intensive formation, or (ii) assuming the k -forms to reflect the primary base, and the German forms a variant with different stress, affecting the consonant quality. Uses of the imperative. The word is frequently used in the imperative in more than one of its senses (compare e.g. sense 5). In the imperative, it has a tendency to develop special uses and forms (compare senses 9 and 10). In Old English in use to form indefinite relatives with interrogative pronouns and adverbs (see sense 10) the word develops an irregular imperative singular lōc (beside regular lōca ). The imperative is also from early on combined with adverbs and pronouns for emphasis. In Old English and early Middle English, look now (Old English lōca nu ) and similar phrases are used to render classical Latin ecce and ēn, both in sense ‘lo, behold’ (see ecce int.). English regional imperative forms with loss of final consonant (see β. forms) are apparently restricted to uses followed by personal pronouns (see sense 9c); for possible Middle English parallels (without pronoun) see discussion at lo int.¹ With the Middle English imperative form los at α. forms compare e.g. mase at make v.¹ β. forms. Specific senses. Branch II. may show a development from sense 1b; however, compare the similar use of other verbs of perception, such as smell v. III. and taste v. 9. Prefixed forms. In Old English the prefixed form gelōcian to look, behold, see (compare y- prefix) is also attested (and survives into early Middle English as ilōkie , ilōke ); compare also belōcian belook v., (Northumbrian) eftlōcia to look, see, look upon, have regard for (compare eft adv.), forelōcian forelook v., forþlōcian to look forward (compare forth adv.; and also (with double prefixation) forþgelōcian in the same sense), onlōcian (see onlook vb. at on- prefix 1b), tōlōcian to look on (compare to- prefix¹), ymblōcian (see umbelook vb. at umbe- prefix 1). I. To direct one's sight, and related senses. * General senses. 1. a. To direct one's sight; to use one's ability to see. Hence (contextually): to conduct a visual inspection, examination, or search. Also of the eye: to be directed so as to see. Also in extended use and in figurative contexts. (a) intransitive. With adverb or prepositional phrase expressing the direction or the intended object of vision.In later use usually with at. In earlier use the object of vision was chiefly introduced with on, upon, but in later use to look on, to look upon are in this sense either archaic, or include the notion of mental activity and are partly merged with sense 4a(a); more specialized uses are treated at to look on —— at Phrasal verbs 2, to look upon —— at Phrasal verbs 2. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (intransitive)] > look or behold belookeOE lookeOE beseec1000 stareOE showOE beholdc1175 seec1225 heedc1275 witec1320 advisec1325 to see to ——a1375 rewarda1382 to cast an eye, glance, lookc1385 blush?a1400 glift?a1400 visea1400 considerc1400 vizy1513 regard1523 spectate1709 to have a see1839 look-see1862 vision1898 screw1905 shufti1943 to take (or have) a shufti1943 the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (transitive)] > look at or behold to look to ——eOE showeOE lookeOE lookOE behold971 beseec1000 seeOE to see on ——OE yseeOE yseeOE belookc1175 to look against ——c1225 to lay eyes onc1230 biwaita1250 holde1303 aseea1325 to see upon ——a1350 rewardc1350 to look of ——?c1400 eyea1425 visage1450 aviewa1513 gove1513 regard1523 to look unto ——1545 respect1567 survise1600 aspect1610 reflect1611 inspeculate1694 spectate1709 to look for ——1786 deek1825 lookit1908 lamp1916 eOE Metres of Boethius (transcript of damaged MS) (2009) xxii. 20 Efne swa sweotole swa he on þa sunnan mæg eagum andweardum on locian. OE West Saxon Gospels: Mark (Corpus Cambr.) vi. 41 He on heofon locode [L. intuens] & hi bletsode. c1175 ( Homily (Bodl. 343) in S. Irvine Old Eng. Homilies (1993) 171 Ealle we sceolon on þam dæȝe, gode & yfele, on ure Drihten lokiæn. a1225 (c1200) Vices & Virtues (1888) 47 Ac me þincþ ðat tu lokest aweiward. c1225 (?c1200) St. Margaret (Bodl.) (1934) 4 Alle hire luueden þet hire on lokeden. c1390 (a1376) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Vernon) (1867) A. viii. l. 123 ‘Lewede lorel!’ quod he ‘luite lokestou on þe Bible’. a1425 J. Wyclif Sel. Eng. Wks. (1869) I. 143 Lokynge in þe first myrour. ?c1450 Life St. Cuthbert (1891) l. 393 (MED) Þe childe loked here and þare. c1540 (?a1400) Gest Historiale Destr. Troy (2002) f. 133 Achilles..Woundit hym [sc. Ector] wickedly as he away loked. 1598 I. D. tr. L. Le Roy Aristotles Politiques vii. 379 Wee forbid them also to looke on leud pictures, or dishonest fables. 1611 Bible (King James) Acts iii. 4 And Peter fastening his eyes vpon him, with Iohn, said, Looke on vs. View more context for this quotation 1626 F. Bacon New Atlantis 3 in Sylua Syluarum But the Seruant tooke them not, nor would scarce looke vpon them. 1634 T. Herbert Relation Some Yeares Trauaile 212 Her finnes so little that they are like the Dodoes wings, more to looke at, then for execution. 1664 E. Waller From Child in Poems (new ed.) 89 Before our Violets dare look abroad. 1688 R. Boyle Disquis. Final Causes ii. 61 The Camelion..may look directly forward with the right Eye, and with the other at the same time, directly backwards. 1758 E. Kimber Life Capt. Neville Frowde i. 30 Before she could well look upon me, I addressed her. 1771 A. Lonnergan Fencer's Guide iv. 18 This thrust demands every position of a Quarte, except that of looking outside the arm; whereas now you must look inside it. 1797 A. Radcliffe Italian I. i. 2 They walked quickly, looking neither to the right or left. 1812 Spirit Boccaccio's Decameron III. ix. 189 Open wide, Your mouth and let me look inside. 1830 Ld. Tennyson Mariana ii, in Poems 15 She could not look on the sweet heaven, Either at morn or eventide. 1871 ‘G. Eliot’ Middlemarch (1872) I. i. xii. 205 Every nerve and muscle in Rosamond was adjusted to the consciousness that she was being looked at. 1895 Pall Mall Mag. Nov. 393 Such a look as schoolboys exchange when the master is looking another way. 1932 G. Greene Stamboul Train i. i. 10 Mr Opie looked at his watch. 1964 C. Isherwood Single Man 88 He looks at himself in the long mirror. a1973 J. R. R. Tolkien Silmarillion (1977) xx. 189 Every day that he looked upon the Silmaril the more he desired to keep it for ever. 2010 Independent 27 Apr. (Viewspaper section) 11/3 You walk around and you've got cameras looking at you. 2013 E. Huang Fresh off Boat vi. 94 He looked at me, sized me up. (b) intransitive. With the direction or object of vision implied. In early use also: †to possess the faculty of sight; to be able to see (obsolete). ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > have faculty or power of sight [verb (intransitive)] lookOE OE Blickling Homilies 173 [Petrus] blinde men mid his bedum gehælde þæt hie locodan. OE Lambeth Psalter cxxxiv. 16 Oculos habent et non uidebunt : eagan hi habbað & hig ne lociað. a1200 MS Trin. Cambr. in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1873) 2nd Ser. 181 Eien lokeð and eare lusteð. a1300 Passion our Lord 54 in R. Morris Old Eng. Misc. (1872) 39 Þe blynde he makede loki. a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) i. l. 384 For ofte..Betre is to winke than to loke. 1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) vi. l. 468 The kingis palȝone..couth weyll luk and wynk with the ta E. 1600 N. Breton Pasquils Mistresse sig. G^v Louers may looke, and laugh, and happ'ly like. 1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost x. 993 But if thou judge it hard and difficult, Conversing, looking, loving, to abstain From Loves due Rites. View more context for this quotation 1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 106 He looks, and languishes, and leaves his Rest. View more context for this quotation 1709 G. Berkeley Ess. New Theory of Vision §6. 5 When we look only with one Eye. 1762 L. Sterne Life Tristram Shandy V. xxvii. 96 My father put on his spectacles—looked,—took them off. 1875 E. White Life in Christ (1876) iv. xxv. 422 The eye looks, but it is the mind that sees. 1896 Law Times Rep. 73 616/1 If he had looked he must have seen the light of the approaching train. 1901 ‘I. Maclaren’ Young Barbarians vii. 141 At the most critical moment he was afraid to look. 1931 T. F. Powys Unclay ii. 11 He learned that it is better to listen than to look. 1969 W. Gass Pedersen Kid i. i. 8 He looked and didn't find anything. 2012 S. Townsend Woman who went to Bed for Year i. 2 If she had taken a while to look she would have seen a woman of fifty with a lovely, fine-boned face. b. intransitive. With adverb complement or phrase. To direct one's gaze in a manner expressive of a certain thought or feeling; to cast a look of a certain significance; to present a specified facial expression.In later use only with the object or direction of the gaze specified (cf. sense 1a(a)). ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (intransitive)] > look significantly lookeOE winkc1100 to tip the (or a) wink1676 eOE Metrical Dialogue of Solomon & Saturn (Corpus Cambr. 422) ii. 266 Geowes he hafað fiðeru and griffus fet, ligeð lonnum fæst, locað unhiere. a1225 (c1200) Vices & Virtues (1888) 61 Godd..lokeð wraðliche uppe hem ðe euele doð. c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 1133 He stod bi-foren Locrine & laðelich him lokede on. c1325 (c1300) Chron. Robert of Gloucester (Calig.) 5348 (MED) Vre louerd mid is eyen of milce on þe lokeþ þeruore. c1400 (?a1387) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Huntington HM 137) (1873) C. ii. l. 164 On ous he lokyde with loue. 1484 W. Caxton tr. G. de la Tour-Landry Bk. Knight of Tower (1971) lxi. 87 He euer loked on her of a waunton and fals regard. a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 140 Bot Lord! how petewouslie I luke, Quhone all the pelfe thai pairt amang thame. 1548 Hall's Vnion: Richard III f. liij^v Least that it might be suspected that he was abasshed for feare of his enemyes, and for that cause looked so piteously. 1611 Bible (King James) Gen. xl. 7 Wherefore looke ye so sadly to day? View more context for this quotation 1641 R. Carpenter Experience, Hist., & Divinitie ii. i. 133 The man look'd bloodily, when he spoke it. 1705 S. Centlivre Gamester ii. i. 21 (stage direct.) Looking angerly at the Marquis. 1794 A. Radcliffe Myst. of Udolpho III. ii. 31 She looked with surprise on Annette. 1842 Ld. Tennyson Talking Oak xxvii, in Poems (new ed.) II. 70 I look'd at him with joy. 1871 ‘L. Carroll’ Through Looking-glass vii. 153 The Lion looked at Alice wearily. 1911 J. Conrad Under Western Eyes i. iii. 88 Councillor Mikulin looked at him dimly. 1956 J. C. Powys Brazen Head iii. 42 All sorts of resplendently dressed ladies looked significantly at each other. 2010 New Yorker 1 Feb. 59/2 Bill Knott looked vaguely from his Bushmills toward the water. c. intransitive. In contextual use: to give a look of surprise, to stare. Now rare (colloquial in later use). ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (intransitive)] > stare or gaze > specifically in surprise starea1375 lookc1425 c1425 J. Lydgate Troyyes Bk. (Augustus A.iv) i. l. 1338 (MED) Þei wern so rude to staren and to gase, To gape & to loke, as it wer on a mase. 1612 B. Jonson Alchemist v. iv. sig. M2 Doctor 'tis true (you looke) for all your Figures. I sent for him, indeed. View more context for this quotation 1842 F. Marryat Percival Keene I. xiv. 182 All you said this morning, and all your surmises, have turned out to be all moonshine. Yes, you may look, papa; I tell you—all moonshine. 1937 D. L. Sayers Busman's Honeymoon ix. 200 I 'ears you from the pump—yes, you may look! d. transitive. With cognate object. Cf. to look one's last at Phrases 1b(f). ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (transitive)] > direct (a look) warpc1175 send1592 dart1593 look1599 squint1631 fling1654 1599 W. Shakespeare et al. Passionate Pilgrime (new ed.) sig. A6 Such lookes as none could looke but beauties queen. 1650 J. Trapp Clavis to Bible (Gen. xlii. 29) 333 And they came to iacob, Who had looked many a long look for them, no doubt. a1714 M. Henry Expos. Hist. Bks. New Test. (1715) (Matt. xxvii. 55–6) sig. Ee3/1 When they were debar'd from doing any other Office of Love to him, they look'd a Look of Love towards him. 1827 G. Griffin Tales Munster Festivals I. 266 If ever I looked a look, or spoke a word, to displease you, I disown the eyes and the lips that gave the offence. 1850 Ld. Tennyson In Memoriam xlviii. 71 And look thy look, and go thy way. View more context for this quotation 1906 Metrop. Mag. Nov. 179/1 Thompson looked a look of despair. 1996 Sunday Times (Nexis) 28 Jan. (Features section) A head popped up through the hatch, looked a look reserved for the dawn of Armageddon, disappeared and resurfaced with a body. e. transitive. To express by a look or glance, or by one's countenance; to cast looks conveying (an emotion or question), threatening (a punishment), etc.to look daggers: see dagger n.¹ 3b. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (transitive)] > express by look look1679 1679 ‘Ephelia’ Female Poems 105 This Great Man lay panting on my Breast, Looking such Things as ne're can be exprest. 1727 J. Thomson Summer 68 They..sigh'd, and look'd unutterable Things! 1751 Ld. Chesterfield Let. 11 Feb. (1932) (modernized text) IV. 1679 The same things differently expressed, looked, and delivered, cease to be the same things. a1824 Ld. Byron Don Juan i. xv, in Wks. (1835) XV. 118 Some women use their tongues—she look'd a lecture, Each eye a sermon, and her brow a homily. 1843 W. M. Thackeray Ravenswing i, in Fraser's Mag. Apr. 470/1 The Captain, looking several tremendous canings at him, walked into the back room. 1867 Good Words May 335/2 I was obliged to be contented with looking my pleasure. 1947 A. Menen Prevalence of Witches ii. 36 Suddenly his eyes looked mischief again. 1956 H. Gold Man who was not with It vi. 53 I looked a question at her. 2009 J. Burroway Bridge of Sand xxix. 294 Kenisha said nothing but looked fury and alarm. 2. a. To direct one's sight at; to look at. (a) transitive. Without construction. Also (contextually): to inspect, examine. Now regional.to look babies: see baby n. and adj. Phrases 1. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (transitive)] > look at or behold to look to ——eOE showeOE lookeOE lookOE behold971 beseec1000 seeOE to see on ——OE yseeOE yseeOE belookc1175 to look against ——c1225 to lay eyes onc1230 biwaita1250 holde1303 aseea1325 to see upon ——a1350 rewardc1350 to look of ——?c1400 eyea1425 visage1450 aviewa1513 gove1513 regard1523 to look unto ——1545 respect1567 survise1600 aspect1610 reflect1611 inspeculate1694 spectate1709 to look for ——1786 deek1825 lookit1908 lamp1916 OE (Northumbrian) Lindisf. Gospels: Matt. vi. 28 Considerate lilia agri quomodo crescunt non laborant : sceauiges uel locas uel behaues ðæt wyrt londes huu wæxas ne wynnes. a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Bodl. 959) (1961) Num. xxiv. 17 Y shal inwardly loke hym [L. intuebor illum] bote not ny. 1471 J. Paston in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) I. 566 Þat no body look my wryghtyngys. 1509 Kynge Rycharde Cuer du Lyon (de Worde) sig. J.iii Rycharde his men bad seche For some wyse clerke and certayne leche..For to loke his bryne [perh. read vryne]. 1509 A. Barclay Brant's Shyp of Folys (Pynson) f. cxx^v Whan he a whyle his glas hath loken. ?1523 J. Fitzherbert Bk. Husbandry f. xxi Than let the shepeherde turne them and loke them on euery syde. c1540 (?a1400) Gest Historiale Destr. Troy (2002) f. 116 Leches full lyuely lokid his wound. a1600 R. Lindsay Hist. & Cron. Scotl. (1899) II. 158 He mowit wpe to the hill heid of Tarbitt..to awew and luik the congregatioun. 1647 J. Trapp Mellificium Theol. in Comm. Epist. & Rev. 669 Many Heathens have advised the angry man to look his face in a glasse, and to grow ashamed of his distemper. 1655 in New Haven Col. Rec. (1858) II. 151 Robert Cranfeild..testifyed..that he went to looke oxen. 1721 A. Ramsay Morning Interview 34 He frown'd, and look'd his watch. 1874 W. H. L. Ranken Dominion Austral. vi. 105 Plains are scoured and every piece of timber looked. 1882 J. Walker Descr. Jaunt to Auld Reekie 10 He looks his hand: behold the sooty meal The secret tells. 1951 S. H. Bell December Bride ii. xiv. 159 We'll be looking that cottage afore the harvest, so what's the use of all this farting and fiddling around? 1967 ‘G. North’ Sgt. Cluff & Day of Reckoning viii. 75 I was looking the sheep when the station rang up: they had to find me. 1997 D. Elcock Independent (Trinidad & Tobago) 30 Jan. Well look dis nasty old fowl-tief. (b) transitive. With complement specifying the focus of the gaze. See also to look over 1 at Phrasal verbs 1, to look through 1a at Phrasal verbs 1.Recorded earliest in to look (a person, etc.) in the face at face n. Phrases 1c.to look (a person) in the eye(s): see eye n.¹ Phrases 2m(a). to look a gift horse in the mouth: see horse n. 21. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (transitive)] > direct (a look) > direct look at lookc1400 c1400 ( Canticum Creatione l. 378 in C. Horstmann Sammlung Altengl. Legenden (1878) 129 (MED) She dorste neuere after þat tym Loken Adam in þe face. 1740 H. Bracken Farriery Improv'd (ed. 2) II. vi. 184 Many who, altho' they have pretended Knowledge in Horses, have been looked in the Mouth (as we say). 1861 D. G. Rossetti tr. G. Cavalcanti in Early Ital. Poets ii. 338 This lady..Look'd thee so deep within the eyes, Love sigh'd And was awakened there. 1880 G. Meredith Tragic Comedians II. v. 88 She..looks you straight at the eyes, perfectly unabashed. 1966 R. Fariña Been down so Long it looks up to Me iv. 65 I..looked him right in the nose. 2000 Y. Karny Highlanders 99 She..for the first time looked me straight at the eye. b. transitive. With interrogative clause as object: to ascertain by visual inspection (who, what, how, whether, etc.).In later use only when the question is regarded as capable of being answered at a glance. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > enquiry > investigation, inspection > investigate, examine [verb (transitive)] underseekc897 speerc900 lookeOE askOE seeOE teem witnessc1200 seeka1300 fand13.. inquirec1300 undergoc1315 visit1338 pursuea1382 searcha1382 examinec1384 assay1387 ensearchc1400 vesteyea1425 to have in waitc1440 perpend1447 to bring witnessc1475 vey1512 investigate?1520 recounta1530 to call into (also in) question1534 finger1546 rip1549 sight1556 vestigatea1561 to look into ——1561 require1563 descry?1567 sound1579 question1590 resolve1593 surview1601 undersearch1609 sift1611 disquire1621 indagate1623 inspect1623 pierce1640 shrive1647 in-looka1649 probe1649 incern1656 quaeritate1657 inquisite1674 reconnoitre1740 explore1774 to bring to book1786 look-see1867 scrutate1882 to shake down1915 sleuth1939 screen1942 eOE tr. Orosius Hist. (BL Add.) (1980) iv. x. 107 Þa het he ænne mon stigan on þone mæst & locian [L. speculari] hwæþer he þæt land gecneowe. OE Old Eng. Martyrol. (Julius) 31 Dec. (2013) 40 Ursa þæt deor..awearp hine to eorðan, ond locade to þære godes fæmnan hwæþer heo sceolde hine cucene þe deadne. a1200 MS Trin. Cambr. in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1873) 2nd Ser. 121 Ure drihten..bihe [perh. read beih] of heuene to mannen and lokede gif here ani understoden oðer bi-sohten him. a1225 (?OE) MS Lamb. in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1868) 1st Ser. 41 (MED) Heo tweien eoden..in to helle..for to lokien hu hit þer ferde. a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 2600 Ghe adde or hire dowter sent To loken quider it sulde ben went. c1325 (c1300) Chron. Robert of Gloucester (Calig.) 315 (MED) Brut sende vp þere Þre hondred men iarmed wel, to loke ȝwat lond þat were. c1330 Otuel (Auch.) (1882) l. 1072 (MED) For godes loue, hie we bliue, & loke we whoþer ogger be a liue. ?c1425 Crafte Nombrynge in R. Steele Earliest Arithm. in Eng. (1922) 30 Multiply þat digit by anoþer diget..and loke qwat comes þere-of. ?a1475 Ludus Coventriae (1922) 35 (MED) Now wyl I go wende my way..to loke where þat I best may From mannys ssyht me hyde. 1530 Thorpe's Examinacion sig. H.vi^v What so euer the bisshopes asked him he badde them looke what his bill said therto. 1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene i. iv. sig. D2^v Scarse could he once vphold his heauie hedd, To looken, whether it were night or day. 1618 T. Taylor Christs Combate & Conquest 101 The great ones of the earth, who gazed at the glister of the golden boule, but neuer looked what was in it. 1675 J. Bunyan Light in Darkness 57 He looked how his Brethren fared. 1710 J. Swift Jrnl. to Stella 30 Nov. (1948) I. 110 O, but one may look whether one goes crooked or no, and so write on. 1792 J. Émïn Life & Adventures Joseph Émïn 63 When his master came back to look how he was going on, he cried out, ‘O Lord, you ruin me!’ 1819 G. Crabbe Tales of Hall I. x. 261 I loved my trees in order to dispose, I number'd peaches, look'd how stocks arose. 1848 J. H. Newman Loss & Gain iii. iii. 318 He glanced from one article to another, looking who were the University-preachers of the week, who had taken degrees [etc.]. 1914 Blackwood's Mag. Apr. 542/2 He ventured out to look what time the stars proclaimed. 1968 Globe & Mail (Toronto) 17 Feb. 10/5 They open the book and they look if your name's on it. 2010 L. Hawke tr. D. Broeckhoven Day with Mr. Jules 68 He..handed it to the barber who'd come to look what the clatter in front of his shop was about. c. transitive. With various complements. To cause (a person or thing) to pass into a certain place, state, or condition by means of one's gaze. Cf. to look down at Phrasal verbs 1. Now rare. ΘΚΠ the world > existence and causation > causation > [verb (transitive)] > bring (a person or thing) into a state or condition > by talking, working, running, etc. run1548 work1599 talk1600 look1611 whip1635 speak1684 1611 B. Jonson Catiline iii. sig. K3^v Ile looke thee dead. View more context for this quotation a1616 W. Shakespeare Cymbeline (1623) v. vi. 94 Thou hast look'd thy selfe into my grace. View more context for this quotation 1694 J. Dryden Love Triumphant iv. i. 56 While you stay,..every Moment looks a part of me away. 1700 J. Dryden Secular Masque 51 Mars has looked the sky to red. 1766 O. Goldsmith Vicar of Wakefield I. v. 43 They had early learnt the lesson of looking presumption out of countenance. 1777 Ann. Reg. 1776 58/1 That armed force which was to have looked all America into submission. 1818 S. E. Ferrier Marriage III. i. 8 Lady Matilda tried to look her into decency, but in vain. 1860 A. Trollope Castle Richmond I. xii. 234 I really thought Mrs. Townsend would have looked him into the river when he came to her. 1919 F. F. Shannon God's Faith in Man v. 75 One of those deep-eyed facts which look us out of countenance. 1983 S. Mitchell tr. R. M. Rilke Notebks. Malte Laurids Brigge 151 Let me assure you, those eyes could have looked Venice right into this room. †3. a. intransitive. To be watchful or attentive. Obsolete.In quot. OE in to look with ——: to have to do with, be concerned for, care about.In quot. c1175 to look till ——: to look after, take care of; = to look to —— 4a at Phrasal verbs 2. ΚΠ OE Ælfric Catholic Homilies: 1st Ser. (Corpus Cambr. 188) xvii. 536 God ætwat þam hyrdum..þæt hi hi sylfe feddon & his sceapa ne gymdon, þæt synd þa yfelan lareowas þe lociað wið heora and him sylfum gaderiað. c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 3195 Forr son summ he wass waxenn swa..tatt he cuþe himm ane ben. & lokenn till himm sellfenn Forrþrihht anan he flæh aweȝȝ. Fra faderr. & fra moderr. a1225 (?OE) MS Lamb. in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1868) 1st Ser. 45 (MED) We aȝen þene sunne dei swiþeliche wel to wurþien and on alle clenesse to locan. b. transitive. To watch over, take care of, keep; to preserve from. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > watching or keeping guard > watch or keep guard over [verb (transitive)] hold971 witec1000 ward?a1035 looklOE bewakec1175 getec1175 wakec1175 i-witea1240 forelook1340 watch?a1400 to watch over——1526 award?c1550 guard1582 to wait over ——1659 shepherd1885 watchdog1902 warden1910 lOE Anglo-Saxon Chron. (Laud) (Peterborough contin.) anno 1129 Biscopes & abbotes & ærcedæcnes..& æfter ealle þa þet Cristendome hæfdon to begemen & to locen. a1225 ( [implied in: Bounds (Sawyer 542) in S. E. Kelly Charters of Abingdon Abbey, Pt. 1 (2000) 172 Þonon on loceres weg, andlang weges on þa ealdan stigele. (at looker n. 1a)]. c1225 (?c1200) St. Juliana (Bodl.) l. 302 (MED) Loke me from his [sc. the devil's] lað, liuiende lauerð. c1300 (?c1225) King Horn (Cambr.) (1901) 748 (MED) Rymenhild þu kep and loke. a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 3193 He dede is binden & faire loken, Alle ðe bones ðe he ðor token. 1340 Ayenbite (1866) 235 Þe prestes þet lokeden chastete ine þe temple weren to-deld uram þe oþren þet hi ne loren hire chastete. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 8297 ‘Godd þe loke’, he said, ‘sir king’. ?a1400 (a1338) R. Mannyng Chron. (Petyt) ii. 129 (MED) Thomas said þe kyng þat othe suld he wele loke þat he suore at þe gynnyng. a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. xiii. 135 (MED) God looke you all thre! c. transitive (reflexive). To be on one's guard, guard oneself, beware; to abstain from. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > vigilance > be vigilant [verb (reflexive)] > guard (oneself) against wareOE witec1000 lookc1175 keepa1400 watch1489 precaution1700 c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 5138 Te birrþ lokenn þe þatt tu. Ne do nan ifell dede. a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 3511 Loke ðe wel ðat ðu ne stele. a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 215 (MED) An bodeword ðer he him forbed..Ðat he sulde him ðer loken fro A fruit ðe kenned wel and wo. 1340 Ayenbite (1866) 42 (MED) Hit is nyed to leawede men þet hi ham loki uram þise zenne. a1400 Prose Life Christ (Pepys) (1922) 34 (MED) Jesus hem seide..þat hij lokeden hem wel from veyn glorie. d. transitive. To observe, keep (a holy day). Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > faith > worship > liturgical year > feast, festival > observe (feast, etc.) [verb (transitive)] hallow971 frelsc1000 looka1225 getec1390 keep1463 celebrate1531 observe1539 sanctify1604 a1225 (?OE) MS Lamb. in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1868) 1st Ser. 45 (MED) Sunne-dei is to locan alswa ester dei. 1340 Ayenbite (1866) 7 Þe sabat, þet wes straytliche y-loked ine þe yalde laȝe. 1340 Ayenbite (1866) 20 (MED) Þou hest ofte ziþes euele and wroþe y-loked hire festes. 4. a. To direct or apply one's mind; to turn or fix one's attention or regard; to engage in mental contemplation, investigation, examination, etc. (a) intransitive. With complement specifying the object of one's thought.Now usually with at (see sense 1a(a)). ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > attention > be attentive, pay attention to [verb (intransitive)] lookeOE reckOE heedOE turna1200 beseec1200 yeme?c1225 to care forc1230 hearkenc1230 tendc1330 tentc1330 hangc1340 rewarda1382 behold1382 convert1413 advertc1425 lotec1425 resortc1450 advertise1477 mark1526 regard1526 pass1548 anchor1557 eye1592 attend1678 mind1768 face1863 the mind > attention and judgement > attention > take notice of, heed [verb (transitive)] > direct attention, thought, etc. lookeOE i-thenchec897 to look to ——OE send?c1420 to look upon ——c1515 to look unto ——1526 face1630 turn1842 eOE King Ælfred tr. Gregory Pastoral Care (Hatton) (1871) liii. 413 Ic ðe bidde ðæt ðu no ne locige [L. ne respicias] on mine synna, forðæmðe ic self him ealneg on locige. OE Paris Psalter (1932) cxviii. 6 Ne beo ic þonne on ealdre æfre gescynded, gif ic on ealle þine bebodu elne locie. a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) I. vii. lxix. 435 A good phisician nediþ to loke wel aboute and be ful ware and ful wel avised, for noþing lettiþ more helþ [MS help] of seke men þan vnkonnynge and necligense of phisiciens. c1400 Bk. to Mother (Bodl.) 196 Loke wel aboute, for Heroud wol, ȝif he mai, brenne þi shup as he brende þe shuppes of Tars. 1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry V f. xxxvii^v Let the kyngdome of the assiriens be your example, and if that suffise not, then loke on the Percians. 1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. xxxvij^v Loking more narrowly vpon domestical euils. 1562 N. Winȝet Certain Tractates (1888) I. 12 Thay..luckis bakwart with the Israelitis to the potis of flesche in Egypt. 1570 in J. Cranstoun Satirical Poems Reformation (1891) I. xiii. 10 He man luke lawer, and enter in the Spreit, And than he sall persaif the cause fra hand. 1583 A. Golding tr. J. Calvin Serm. on Deuteronomie xxi. 124 Looke me vpon the Turkes: they haue some reuerence to their religion. 1604 W. Shakespeare Hamlet iv. iv. 9 + 28 He that made vs with such large discourse Looking before and after. 1611 Bible (King James) 2 Cor. iv. 18 While we looke not at the things which are seene, but at y^e things which are not seene. View more context for this quotation 1676 E. Stillingfleet Def. Disc. Idolatry ii. ii. 491 We are not only to look at the bare action, but at the reason and ground of it. 1759 B. Martin Young Gentleman & Lady's Philos. I. i. xi. 69 So you must look upon this Problem in Astronomy in the same ludicrous Light. 1845 M. Pattison in Christian Remembrancer Jan. 66 Because ideas change, the whole mode and manner of looking at things alters with every age. 1861 C. Dickens Great Expectations III. xvi. 273 What I look at, is the sacrifice of so much portable property. 1885 ‘F. Anstey’ Tinted Venus 70 ‘That's the proper way to look at it’, said he. 1890 Mrs. H. Wood House of Halliwell I. vii. 175 I marry a medical student!.. I look a little higher than that. 1905 W. D. Howells Miss Bellard's Inspiration 29 I don't see what her prettiness has to do with it. A great many girls are that way, now. They look at it very cool-headedly. 1958 G. Greene Our Man in Havana (1962) 101 The situation, whichever way he looked at it, was uncomfortable. 2012 Daily Tel. 5 July 22/5 The truth is you don't look at life differently. †(b) intransitive. With the object of one's thought implied. Obsolete. ΚΠ a1425 J. Wyclif Sel. Eng. Wks. (1869) I. 319 (MED) But diversite is greet here and þere, whoso wole loke. a1450 (c1400) in D. M. Grisdale 3 Middle Eng. Serm. (1939) 33 (MED) Lokis þanne, vor Cristis sake, þow ȝe ha ben gilti her be-for. 1573 in J. Cranstoun Satirical Poems Reformation (1891) I. xlii. 403 Schir, luk ȝe and se Gif that the teindis of this countrie May not do all that we have tauld. c1585 R. Browne Answere to Cartwright 50 If he looke well, this proofe serueth against him. †b. transitive. To inquire into, examine; to consider; pay attention to, regard. Obsolete.In Old English with genitive. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > attention > take notice of, heed [verb (transitive)] > look into, consider lookOE devisec1320 to look into ——c1350 screw1631 OE Ælfric Lives of Saints (Julius) (1881) I. 276 Swa orsorh wæs þæt wif under þam wælhreowan cwellere, þæt heo locode his goldes þe hi belifian..wolde. OE Wærferð tr. Gregory Dialogues (Corpus Cambr.) (1900) iii. xxxii. 241 Þa wæs þæt gesawen fram þam mannum, þe his locodon [L. a respicientibus], þæt þæt wæs soð. a1225 (c1200) Vices & Virtues (1888) 71 (MED) Ðanne mot me lokin ðin ikinde, and ðinne lichames hæle oðer unhale. c1300 Life & Martyrdom Thomas Becket (Harl. 2277) (1845) 284 The King fram Normandie com To Engelond to loke the stat of his kynedom. a1400 (?c1300) Lay Folks Mass Bk. (Royal) (1879) l. 271 When þou prayes, god lokes þi wille. a1439 J. Lydgate Fall of Princes (Bodl. 263) ix. l. 2467 The mateer, who-so list to look. c1450 in W. Maskell Monumenta Ritualia Ecclesiae Anglicanae (1882) III. 246 For he lokede the mekenesse of his hondmaide. 1533 J. Gau tr. C. Pedersen Richt Vay 19 God lukis notht the wtuert [= outward] richtfulnes quilk mony keipis. c1560 A. Scott Poems (S.T.S.) xxxiv. 1 Ȝe blindit luvaris, luke The rekless lyfe ȝe leid. c. transitive. With indirect question as object. To consider, ascertain (whether, if, when, etc.). Now rare. ΚΠ eOE King Ælfred tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. (Otho) (2009) I. xxii. 487 Ac loca nu hwæðer þu wille ðæt [wit] giet spyrigen æfter ænigre gesceadwisnesse furður, nu wit ðæt funden habbað þæt [w]it ær [so]h[t]on. c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 918 Nu laferrdinngess loke we, Whatt tiss maȝȝ uss bitacnenn. a1400 tr. Lanfranc Sci. Cirurgie (Ashm.) (1894) 51 (MED) Þou muste loke wheþer þat þe bodi be ful of wickide humouris, eiþer be clene. 1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) viii. 419 The king can furth his vais ta,..for till luk gif he Micht recouer his cuntre. a1500 (?c1450) Merlin i. 9 Than made he hir suster come on a saterday,..to loke yef he might gete hir in that manere. 1534 C. St. German Addicions of Salem & Byzance iii. 55 He aduertseth rulers to loke, whether it be conuenient, that some new saintis shuld haue more solemnitie in the churche of god, then the auncient saynctes haue. 1580 R. Bristow Reply to Fulke 182 If you had looked what he meneth by the husband of one wife. 1615 E. Grimeston tr. P. d'Avity Estates 1149 The hospitall of this order serues as a sanctuarie..they doe not enjoy this libertie in all cases, but they looke whether the fact deserues this freedome. 1692 J. Locke 3rd Let. for Toleration ix, in Wks. (1727) II. 394 Whether..your pretending Gain to them,..be a greater Mockery, you were best look. 1749 tr. J. Morin Short Acct. Life & Sufferings Elias Neau 56 Look whether your spirit is occupied about his knowledge. 1879 G. MacDonald Sir Gibbie II. xxx. 123 Nicie..proposed that they should look whether they could see her brother down in the meadow of which her mother had spoken. 2001 Times 24 July i. 6/1 We must look whether the specifications were wrong, the supervision, or whether it was just someone taking us for a ride. 5. transitive. With clause (esp. that-clause, or clause introduced by how) as object: to take care, make sure, be mindful. Chiefly in imperative. Now archaic or regional. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > manner of action > care, carefulness, or attention > take care about [verb (transitive)] lookeOE heeda1225 recka1225 intendc1374 curec1384 observec1390 fandc1425 to see unto ——a1470 wake1525 regard1526 tend1549 study1557 foresee1565 beware1566 to have the care of1579 reckon1622 mind1740 eOE King Ælfred tr. Gregory Pastoral Care (Hatton) (1871) lix. 451 Lociað nu [L. videte] ðæt ðios eowru leaf ne weorðe oðrum monnum to biswice. eOE Laws of Ælfred (Corpus Cambr. 173) Introd. xii. 30 Locige þæt hio hæbbe hrægl. ?a1200 ( tr. Medicina de Quadrupedibus (Harl. 6258B) (1984) 239 Loca [OE Vitell. beheald; L. observabis] þæt þes laecedon ne hrine wæteres ne eorþan. c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 8549 Loke þat þu na mare swulc þing ne iscire. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) 1966 (MED) Fixs and flesse, o bath i sai, Lok ai þe blod ȝee cast a wai. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 16814 + 15 Pilat..bad þat þai suld loke þat he wore ded for-thy. ?c1425 Recipe in Coll. Ordinances Royal Househ. (Arun. 334) (1790) 434 Loke hit be stondynge. ?c1430 (c1400) J. Wyclif Eng. Wks. (1880) 38 Seynt petyr comaundiþ ȝif ony speke, loke he speke as goddis wordis. a1470 T. Malory Morte Darthur (Winch. Coll. 13) (1990) I. 35 Looke every of you kyngis lat make such ordinaunce. 1561 T. Hoby tr. B. Castiglione Courtyer iii. sig. Ee.i^v And you (my L. Margaret) looke ye beare it well awaye. a1616 W. Shakespeare Othello (1622) iv. iii. 8 Dispatch your Attendant there,—looke it be done. 1621–31 W. Laud Serm. (1847) 133 The State must look their proceedings be just, and the Church must look their devotions and actions be pious. 1646 J. Hall Horæ Vacivæ 22 We ought to looke how wee spend our houres here. 1690 E. Gee Jesuit's Mem. 89 Censor to look that no man lived idly. 1742 G. Turnbull Observ. Liberal Educ. 223 Those..that intend ever to govern their children should..look that they perfectly comply with the will of their parents. a1822 P. B. Shelley Cyclops in Posthumous Poems (1824) 349 When I call, Look ye obey the masters of the craft. 1865 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 2nd Ser. 1 ii. 242 We must look, therefore, that we have the..wide chest, straight back, &c. 1926 F. M. Ford Man could stand Up i. ii. 38 Look how you let in your nearest and dearest—those who have to sympathise with you. 2004 M. Walton-Roberts in P. Jackson et al. Transnational Spaces iv. 89 Son, if you can do something for your own village, if you can afford to do, look that you have everything, all these things, we heard about you. 6. †a. transitive. To consult or refer to (a book, a particular passage in a book, or an author). Also: to search for (a word, fact, etc.) in a book, source of information, etc. Cf. to look up 2b at Phrasal verbs 1. Obsolete.With imperative use cf. vide v.² ΘΚΠ society > communication > reading > [verb (transitive)] > find in a book or paper looklOE to look out?1496 to turn to ——1568 to look upa1632 to turn up1710 to turn out1834 the mind > attention and judgement > discovery > research > find out by investigation [verb (transitive)] > by consulting sources looklOE seek?a1500 to look upa1632 consulta1634 trawl1906 scan1926 screen1942 lOE Anglo-Saxon Chron. (Laud) (Peterborough interpolation) anno 963 Com þa to þe cyng & leot him locon þa gewrite þe ær wæron gefunden. a1250 (?c1200) Prov. Alfred (Galba) (transcript of damaged MS) (1955) 77 Ne mai no riht cinȝ ben under criste self bute he be boc-lered..& he cunne lettres locen [a1275 Trin. Cambr. lokin, a1300 Jesus Oxf. lokie] himselfe hu he scall his lond laȝelice helden. a1325 Statutes of Realm (2011) i. 3 We habbeth iloked [L. inspeximus] þe Grete Chartre of sire Henri. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 9334 (MED) Þat yow tels sent Ieremi, If yee wald lok his propheci. c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer Pardoner's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 250 Looketh the Bible, and ther ye may it leere. ?c1425 (c1412) T. Hoccleve De Regimine Principum (Royal 17 D.vi) (1860) 111 As the booke kan expresse; Who so it lookethe, fynde it shalle no lesse. ?1530 J. Rastell Pastyme of People sig. Av^v Therfor loke Iulius Cesar his comentaryes. 1599 T. Nashe Lenten Stuffe 58 For his ensainting, looke the Almanack in the beginning of Aprill. 1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues Anonexie, Looke Anorexie. 1640 T. Fuller Joseph's Coat 125 (margin) Look Lord Bacon in his life. 1663 H. Phillippes Purchasers Pattern (ed. 4) ii. 157 Take the compass of the tree... Look this compass in the Table. 1712 J. Bingham Scholastical Hist. Baptism by Laymen App. 145 But he refers his Reader to no Place, and he is left to look it in two or three large Volumes of Athanasius's Works. 1813 J. Adams Let. 9 July in Wks. (1856) X. 49 I found that if I looked a word to-day, in less than a week I had to look it again. b. transitive. To seek, search for; = to look for —— 1 at Phrasal verbs 2. Also: to be on the lookout for; to seek or search out. regional (chiefly Caribbean) in later use. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > endeavour > searching or seeking > search for or seek [verb (transitive)] seekc888 aseekc1000 i-secheOE huntc1175 to seek afterc1175 beseechc1200 fand?c1225 ofseche?c1225 to seek forc1250 atseekc1275 furiec1290 forseeka1300 outseekc1300 upseekc1315 to look after ——c1330 wait1340 laita1350 searchc1350 pursuea1382 ensearchc1384 to feel and findc1384 inseekc1384 looka1398 fraist?a1400 umseeka1400 require?c1400 walec1400 to look up1468 prowla1475 to see for ——c1485 to look for ——a1492 to have in the wind1540 sue1548 vent?1575 seek1616 explore1618 dacker1634 research1650 to see out for1683 quest1752 to see after ——1776 a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) II. xviii. xcvi. 1247 Þe ape..sekeþ and lokeþ [L. quaerit] wormes in mennes hedes and þroweþ hem in his mouþ and eteþ hem. c1400 (?a1300) Kyng Alisaunder (Laud) (1952) l. 5734 Nyne hundreþ and eiȝtte hij slowȝe, And quyk þei lokeden þerof ynowe To seruen hem in batailles, And to beren her vitailles. a1450 Generides (Pierpont Morgan) (1865) l. 9038 (MED) Among hem counsel thei toke, A messenger hem to loke Forto send to Generides. a1500 R. Henryson tr. Æsop Fables: Cock & Jasp l. 93 in Poems (1981) 6 I had leuer go skraip heir with my naillis..and luke my lifys fude. ?1549 J. Hooper Declar. 10 Commandm. xix. p. ccxxx That we shuld not seke it [sc. God's will] with great danger of oure lieffe, to sayle into the Indies for it, or loke it in heauen a boue. c1600 (?c1395) Pierce Ploughman's Crede (Trin. Cambr. R.3.15) (1873) l. 593 Now mot a frere..loken hem lesynges þat likeþ þe puple. a1633 A. Munday John a Kent f. 5 Moorton shall looke him now another Bryde. 1650 T. Vaughan Anima Magica To Rdr. sig. G6 He knew it was bootles to look fatal Events in the Planets. 1678 J. Dryden All for Love iv. 52 Octavia, I was looking you, my love. 1752 S. Johnson Rambler No. 138. ⁋11 At her leisure hours she looks goose eggs. 1782 F. Burney Cecilia IV. vii. ix. 143 I'll go look him [sc. a dog], however, for we went at such a rate that I never missed him. 1821 J. Clare Village Minstrel I. 88 Pinders, that such chances look, Drive his rambling cows to pound. 1879 Boy's Own Paper 18 Jan. 14/3 [The monkeys] both set to work and ‘look fleas’ in the hare's fur. 1907 W. Jekyll Jamaican Song & Story 79 Me son, a time fe you go an' look you own living. 1961 F. G. Cassidy Jamaica Talk vii. 148 A very common usage makes look into a transitive verb meaning look for, gather: ‘Arthur and I joined a group of boys to look wood.’ 1994 in B. Chevannes Rastafari ii. 49 You pick coconut, you pick pear, you pick orange, you look wood. †7. transitive. To ordain, decree; to appoint; to decide. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > authority > command > command or bidding > command [verb (transitive)] > ordain, prescribe, or appoint asetc885 teachc897 deemc900 ashapea1000 i-demeOE setc1000 shiftc1000 stevenOE redeOE willOE lookc1175 showc1175 stablea1300 devise1303 terminea1325 shapec1330 stightlea1375 determinec1384 judgea1387 sign1389 assize1393 statute1397 commanda1400 decree1399 yarka1400 writec1405 decreetc1425 rule1447 stallc1460 constitute1481 assignc1485 institute1485 prescribec1487 constitue1489 destinate1490 to lay down1493 make?a1513 call1523 plant1529 allot1532 stint1533 determ1535 appointa1538 destinec1540 prescrive1552 lot1560 fore-appoint1561 nominate1564 to set down1576 refer1590 sort1592 doom1594 fit1600 dictate1606 determinate1636 inordera1641 state1647 fix1660 direct1816 the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > absence of doubt, confidence > assured fact, certainty > making certain, assurance > assure, make certain [verb (transitive)] > establish as fact, ascertain trowa901 lookc1175 take1469 ascertaina1513 certain1523 favoura1530 establish1533 try1542 try1582 tie1623 secure1630 to make sure1644 true1647 determine1650 determinate1666 authenticate1753 constatea1773 verify1801 validate1957 c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 439 Forr godd itt haffde lokedd swa, Þatt sannt iohan bapptisste. Þatt time shollde streonedd ben, Þatt wære onn ȝæness kinde. a1225 MS Lamb. in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1868) 1st Ser. 73 Þer fore hit wes iloked bi godes wissunge ine halie chirche þet mon scule childre fulhten. c1225 (?c1200) St. Katherine (Royal) (1981) 560 Godd imon for monnes bruche bette ant eode onbote, as his ahne goddlec lahede him ant lokede. c1300 St. Kenelm (Harl.) 301 in F. J. Furnivall Early Eng. Poems & Lives Saints (1862) 55 Þe bischop hadde iloked þat hit scholde þider beo ibore. ?a1400 (a1338) R. Mannyng Chron. (Petyt) ii. 36 Þe right lawes did he loke for fals men & fikelle. c1450 (?a1400) T. Chestre Sir Launfal (1930) l. 782 (MED) I am aredy for to þo All þat þe court wyll loke! a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. xxviii. 370 A rightwys dome I will me loke, That I tyne not that semely sight. a1525 Eng. Conquest Ireland (Trin. Dublin) (1896) 72 (MED) He vndretoke such penaunce as holy chyrche hym wold loke [a1500 Rawl. enyoyn]. 8. To expect, anticipate. †a. transitive. With indirect question as object: to expect, await the time when; to anticipate learning how, whether, etc. Obsolete.In quot. 1611 in passive with impersonal subject. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > expectation > expect [verb (transitive)] weenOE weenc1000 thinklOE lookc1225 hopec1330 trusta1387 wait onc1390 supposea1393 to wait after ——1393 to look after ——c1400 thinkc1480 attend1483 suppone1490 expect1535 to expect for1538 aspect1548 respect1549 look1560 ween1589 attend1591 propose1594 await1608 to presume on, upon, or of1608 to look forwards1637 prospect1652 to look for ——a1677 augur1678 anticipate1749 to look to ——1782 spect1839 contemplate1841–8 to look forward1848 eye1979 the mind > mental capacity > expectation > expectation, waiting > wait for, await [verb (transitive)] bidec950 keepc1000 abideOE i-kepe?c1225 lookc1225 bidea1300 sustainc1350 await1393 remainc1455 tarry?a1475 attenda1513 expect1536 to stay on1540 watch1578 remain1585 staya1586 to stay for ——1602 tend1604 to bide upona1616 behold1642 prestolate1653 expecta1664 wait1746 c1225 (?c1200) Sawles Warde (Bodl.) (1938) 8 (MED) Ich nat nawt þe time..ah eauer lokið hwenne, for hire wune is to cumen bi stale ferliche. c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 7731 For æuere heo lokede whænne Hengest come an-uuenan. c1451 J. Capgrave Life St. Gilbert (1910) 128 (MED) Þei sent aftir prestes of þe same ordre for to be aboute hir in tyme of hir deth, for all loke þei whan sche schal passe. 1534 N. Udall Floures for Latine Spekynge gathered oute of Terence f. 75^v I stode styll & loked whether they wolde beade me to doo any thyng. 1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 112 Loking euery day when his Barons and their confederates would cruelly set vpon him. 1597 W. Shakespeare Richard II i. iii. 232 I lookt when some of you should say, I was too strict. View more context for this quotation 1611 T. Heywood Golden Age i. sig. B3^v I neuer heard she was commited to prison: yet t'is look't euery houre when she shall be deliuered. 1696 J. Lead Fountain of Gardens sig. P5 I looked when this Appearance would have spoke. 1746 J. Burgh Brit. Remembrancer 4 You looked when this bloody Crew with hasty Marches should arrive at your Metropolis. 1789 W. Gilpin Observ. Picturesque Beauty Scotl. I. xvii. 179 Every moment we looked, when the castle would open to our view. 1830 Pearl (Philadelphia) 2 78 I looked when he should spring from behind a tree to surprise me. b. (a) transitive. With to and infinitive or (in early use) clause (esp. that-clause) as object. In later use also (esp. in progressive tenses): to hope, intend, seek to do something. ΚΠ c1300 Life & Martyrdom Thomas Becket (Harl. 2277) (1845) l. 1148 (MED) He abod wel there, Lokede forto passi whan best tyme were. c1449 R. Pecock Repressor (1860) 135 (MED) We loke to be baptisid. c1475 (?c1400) Apol. Lollard Doctr. (1842) 105 (MED) In þe state of innocens God sett man in paradis of delite, leking [read loking] þat he schuld wirk and kep it. a1535 T. More Hist. Richard III in Wks. (1557) 39/2 In these last wordes that euer I looke to speake with you. a1535 T. More Hist. Richard III in Wks. (1557) 37/2 Whose life hee looked that euil dyete shoulde shorten. 1535 Bible (Coverdale) Isa. v. A When he loked y^t it shulde bringe him grapes, it brought forth thornes. c1595 Countess of Pembroke Psalme lxix. 63 in Coll. Wks. (1998) II. 83 Some I lookt would me vphold. 1604 E. Grimeston tr. J. de Acosta Nat. & Morall Hist. Indies iii. xi. 156 The wind being contrary and stormy, they looked all to perish. 1626 F. Bacon New Atlantis 8 in Sylua Syluarum Wee..saluted him in a very lowly and submisiue manner; As looking that from him, wee should receyue Sentence of Life, or Death. 1651 T. Hobbes Leviathan iii. xlii. 271 By whom we look to be protected. 1657 R. Austen Spirituall Use of Orchard (new ed.) 164 God..lookes every one should be fruit-full under all his dispensations. 1703 J. Havett 13 Serm. Several Pract. Subj. iv. 95 Men must look to meet with adverse Accidents and Troubles sometimes in this World. 1770 H. Brooke Fool of Quality (Dublin ed.) V. xvii. 310 I never look to have a Mistress that I shall love half as well. 1827 R. Southey Select. from Lett. (1856) IV. 168 I too had been looking to hear from you. 1852 H. B. Stowe Uncle Tom's Cabin I. vii. 87 I'm glad Mas'r did n't go off this morning, as he looked to. 1893 Field 11 Mar. 362/3 The..labourer..looks to go to work at a fixed hour. 1896 A. E. Housman Shropshire Lad xxvi. 37 Two lovers looking to be wed. 1911 Motorman & Conductor Jan. 24/1 Bro. L. A. Walton has been exposed to the chicken-pox and is looking to be taken ill at any time. 1963 T. Pynchon V. i. 24 It seemed sometimes that he put himself deliberately in the way of hostile objects, as if he were looking to get schlimazzeled out of existence. 2008 Magnet No. 79. 24/2 I am a pop punk solo artist..looking to be signed to a label soon. (b) transitive. Originally U.S. With at (see sense 1a(a)) and noun, noun phrase, or gerund as object. In the progressive: to face the prospect of (an event or situation), to anticipate, expect; to contemplate or consider (a plan, course, etc.). ΚΠ 1927 Washington Post 27 Feb. sm8/1 When the Government come to examine the assets, they find they are practically looking at a total loss. 1969 Las Vegas (New Mexico) Optic 25 Feb. 1/1 If they [sc. state government] are going to give public schools $13 million you are looking at a total tax figure of $30 million. 1984 A. Smith in G. Ursell More Sask. Gold vii. 72 ‘I can get my old man's camper-trailer,’ Boris says... So now we're looking at an overnighter. 1997 Tobacco Control 6 s47/2 The research committee were looking at making smoking one of the main agenda items to pursue. 2012 Belfast Tel. (Nexis) 1 Nov. (Sport section) 56 We're probably looking at something in the region of 5,000 to 6,000 [people attending the event] on Friday and 10,000 to 11,000 on Saturday. c. transitive. With direct object. In later use only (regional): to expect, ask for (a sum of money) in payment. Cf. to look forward at Phrasal verbs 1, to look for —— 2 at Phrasal verbs 2. rare in later use. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > expectation > expect [verb (transitive)] weenOE weenc1000 thinklOE lookc1225 hopec1330 trusta1387 wait onc1390 supposea1393 to wait after ——1393 to look after ——c1400 thinkc1480 attend1483 suppone1490 expect1535 to expect for1538 aspect1548 respect1549 look1560 ween1589 attend1591 propose1594 await1608 to presume on, upon, or of1608 to look forwards1637 prospect1652 to look for ——a1677 augur1678 anticipate1749 to look to ——1782 spect1839 contemplate1841–8 to look forward1848 eye1979 1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. cccxj What ende at the length doe you loke [L. expectatis] of this obstinacy and vnloyaultie. a1572 J. Knox Hist. Reformation Scotl. in Wks. (1846) I. 4 We crave of all the gentill Readaris, not to look of us such ane History. c1595 Countess of Pembroke Psalme cxix. 7 in Coll. Wks. (1998) II. 200 What I look't from thee..I now enioy. a1616 W. Shakespeare Winter's Tale (1623) iv. iv. 356 The gifts she lookes from me, are packt and lockt Vp in my heart. View more context for this quotation 1699 J. Gother Instr. Masters, Traders, Labourers, &c. 33 Those, who make this their Gain,..must look from him [sc. God] the Punishment of all the Injustice they have done their Neighbor. 1880 M. A. Courtney W. Cornwall Words in M. A. Courtney & T. Q. Couch Gloss. Words Cornwall 35/2 They are looking a shilling a dozen. 1995 J. Collins Booing the Bishop 73 ‘How much are you looking?’ ‘One-and-six. Um, each.’ ** Idiomatic uses of the imperative. 9. Used to direct or draw vision or attention; ‘see’, ‘observe’, ‘take note’, ‘mark this’. a. Also more emphatically look here. (a) intransitive. With explicit or implied reference to a person or object.In early use frequently with now. ΚΠ OE Ælfric Catholic Homilies: 1st Ser. (Royal) (1997) xxx. 430 Loca nu, her stent þin moder. OE St. Euphrosyne (Julius) in W. W. Skeat Ælfric's Lives of Saints (1900) II. 340 Loca nu, þin fæder sceal mid me to mynstre. c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 12726 Loc here. þiss iss godess lamb. ?a1300 Iacob & Iosep (Bodl.) (1916) l. 227 (MED) ‘A! Lokeþ nou,’ heo seide, ‘þis Ebrewisse þef, Of me he wende stille to habben his gome.’ a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 3331 Quod moyses, ‘loc her nu: is bread!’ a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 16529 (MED) Los [Gött. Lo] here pris..þat i can for mi lauerd sell. a1450 in C. Brown Relig. Lyrics 14th Cent. (1924) 93 (MED) Þe blode owt of my hert-rote, loke, it falles downe to my fote. a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. xxx. 407 Here is a bag-full, lokys, Of pride and of lust. 1513 G. Douglas in tr. Virgil Æneid Exclamatioun 18 Lo, heir he failȝeis, se thar he leis, luik! ?1518 A. Barclay Fyfte Eglog sig. A.v Loke here Amyntas, lorde benedycyte, The cold snowe recheth, moche hygher than my kne. 1570 T. North tr. A. F. Doni Morall Philos. iii. f. 74 O here is a braue sight, looke, here is a goodly ieast. 1607 E. Sharpham Fleire i. sig. C^v Looke, looke, this fellow is like your vpright shoo, he will serue either foote. 1677 A. Behn Town-fopp iii. 37 Look here my Boyes! 1720 D. Defoe Life Capt. Singleton 169 He came running up to us with his Hands full Sand, and saying Look here. 1791 Scots Mag. Feb. 59/2 ‘Look,’ he said, ‘see! where she bleeds beneath thy ruthless arm!’ 1795 F. Reynolds Speculation v. 72 Though I didn't get money in India, I've got it in England—look here! 1821 Jem Gudgeon iv. 27 Now look here. His first attack upon religion is in these words. 1843 H. W. Longfellow Spanish Student ii. vi. 98 Look, here he comes. 1916 Boys' Life June 30/1 (advt.) Look! I've made a picture book! 1967 B. Took & M. Feldman Best of ‘Round The Horne’ (2000) 3rd Ser. Programme 19. 181/1 Look it's crocheted on our smocks. 2003 C. Birch Turn again Home xxxii. 368 Hey, look, that's Jack's old man, hey, looka that. (b) intransitive. Used with reference to what one is about to say, in order to rebuke or entreat someone, or to introduce a suggestion, protest, order, etc. ΚΠ 1823 T. De Quincey tr. J. A. Apel Fatal Marksman in Pop. Tales & Romances Northern Nations III. 142 Now, look here, Anne: for better than two hundred years has this farm in the forest of Linden come down from father to child in my family. a1894 R. L. Stevenson Weir of Hermiston (1896) vii. 235 Now, look! This is what I must say. 1911 J. London Mexican in Sat. Evening Post 19 Aug. 8/2 Look here, you little fool... You're nobody. 1954 G. Smith Flaw in Crystal x. 103 ‘But look here,’ I expostulated, by way of a conventional last-ditch stand, ‘You can't tell me you've had the temerity to—’ Words failed me. 1969 Listener 1 May 614/1 Look, my Bill doesn't include any blanket condemnation of unofficial strikes. 1986 ‘J. le Carré’ Perfect Spy xii. 323 Look here, old boy..I don't think we should go through life wearing hairshirts about what we did at our private. 2010 S. McGee Chasing Goldman Sachs ii. 68 Look, if we're going to be honest with ourselves, we need to admit that we wanted it all. (c) intransitive. colloquial (U.S. and Irish English). With at. Chiefly in look at here. Cf. lookit v. Now rare. ΚΠ 1825 ‘Notus Nulli’ Microcosmus Philadelphicus 25 Philadelphy's a wonderful town, Look at here for Playhouse, such a tarnal expense. 1877 London Society Sept. 227/2 Now look at here now, Larry Doolan's the boy for a tiger or any other baste in broad daylight. 1920 L. Robinson Whiteheaded Boy iii. 87 Look at here: I'll give you this if you will. 1967 B. Friel Lovers (1969) 125 Lookat—are we going to say prayers or are we not? b. transitive. With interrogative clause as object. Cf. sense 2b.look who's talking: see talk v. 3f. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > attention > attracting attention > call for attention [interjection] loOE lookOE heya1225 halec1300 notac1392 what hoc1405 yoa1475 behold1535 hist1599 nota benea1721 see1863 psst1875 the mind > attention and judgement > importance > [interjection] > emphasizing a following statement whatOE loOE lookOE aha1225 loura1225 halec1300 why1545 if (also and) you pleasec1563 ahem1606 I say1613 ahey1696 sithee1828 please it you1881 lookit1907 OE West Saxon Gospels: Mark (Corpus Cambr.) xi. 21 Þa cwæð Petrus, Lareow, loca [L. ecce] hu forscranc þæt fictreow þe ðu wyrigdest. c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 5872 Ah loke wulche wætres [MS wæstres] & wunliche londes..on to libbenne. 1575 G. Gascoigne Glasse of Gouernem. iv. i. sig. Hiii^v I would be glad to talke with Maister Gnomaticus..and looke where he commeth in haste. 1594 C. Marlowe & T. Nashe Dido ii. sig. B3 Looke where she comes: Æneas viewd her well. 1630 R. Reeks Faith & Good Wks. Vnited 46 Euery hypocrite will say hee loueth God,..but looke how he liueth toward men. 1674 J. Wright Mock-Thyestes i, in tr. Seneca Thyestes 105 You cursed Dog Catchpole, Look what is here, do's your Maw crave it? 1730 T. Walker Fate of Villany iii. 34 Look how the Wretches bind his Warlike Arms! 1782 W. Cowper Retirement in Poems 283 Look where he comes. 1863 Sunday School Teachers' Mag. 14 438/2 The Ragged Schools belonging to our Ragged School Union. Why, look what has sprung of them. 1898 Lippincott's Monthly Mag. May 647 Look where he came from, and look where he is. 1930 Boys' Life Dec. 6/1 He followed his own star, and look what he became! 1975 C. Jacker Harry Outside i. 18 Look how it's concentrating, listening, checking out the area. 2004 G. Woodward I'll go to Bed at Noon xi. 216 Look what you've brought me to. Violence. c. intransitive. Emphatically with pronoun, as look you, look ye, look thee. Formerly also transitive with interrogative clause as object. Cf. looky v. Now regional or archaic.look you now chiefly in Welsh English, esp. in stereotypical representations. ΚΠ ?c1400 (c1380) G. Chaucer tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. (BL Add. 10340) (1868) iv. met. vi. l. 4120 Loke þou and bihold þe heyȝtes of souereyne heuene. 1484 W. Caxton tr. G. de la Tour-Landry Bk. Knight of Tower (1971) lvi. 82 Now loke ye and see how by a foolysshe woman cometh many euyllis & domages. ?1577 J. Northbrooke Spiritus est Vicarius Christi: Treat. Dicing 101 Looke thee howe King Demetrius The King of Parthes..Sent a paire of Dice of golde in scorne. 1587 J. Harmar tr. T. de Bèze Serm. ix. 124 Looke yee, this is good and pleasing vnto God. 1600 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 2 ii. ii. 100 Looke you how he writes. View more context for this quotation a1616 W. Shakespeare Winter's Tale (1623) iii. iii. 109 Heauy matters, heauy matters: but looke thee heere boy. View more context for this quotation 1672 Duke of Buckingham Rehearsal i. 5 For, look you, Sir, the grand design..is to keep the Auditors in suspence. 1709 R. Steele Tatler No. 34. ⁋4 Look ye, said I, I must not rashly give my Judgment. 1767 D. Garrick Cymon ii. i. 17 Why, look ye, Sister, I am as little inclin'd to bear these things as yourself. 1826 W. Scott Woodstock III. v. 154 Why look thee, wench, I thought I knew him at the first meeting. 1881 J. Sargisson Joe Scoap's Jurneh ii. 73 Lutheh at them fer two silly feulls. 1885 R. Holland Gloss. Words County of Chester (1886) 210 Loo the! John; folks sen as cottage property's not worth havin. 1917 P. L. Curran Sorry Tale ii. i. 216 Look thee! Look thee! He who hath come from without the walls hath upon his camel's cloths the sign of the great one! 1974 Daily Mail 1 Oct. 8/5 Look you! Plaid Cymru protested to the BBC yesterday over the timing of its only party political broadcast. 1994 C. Coulter Nightingale Legacy (1995) 38 Look ye, Tweks, she's right purty and he's a driveling little toff. 2010 R. Bowen Evan Blessed xxviii. 233 Most of them have their own caravans, look you. †10. a. transitive. With interrogative pronoun or adverb, or relative conjunction, as object, in phrases functioning as indefinite relatives, e.g. look who ‘whoever’, look what ‘whatever’, look how ‘however’. Also intransitive with preposition. Obsolete.It is not always clear whether particular instances should be understood in this sense or as examples of sense 4c. ΚΠ OE Ælfric Old Eng. Hexateuch: Gen. (Claud.) xvi. 6 Ðrea hi locahu þu wylle. OE Byrhtferð Enchiridion (Ashm.) (1995) iii. i. 124 Ælc preost sceal witan þæt æfter viii idus Martius, loca hwær beo se mona niwe, þæt he gebyrað to þære Easterlican tide. lOE Anglo-Saxon Chron. (Laud) anno 1101 Lochweðer þæra gebroðra oðerne oferbide wære yrfeweard ealles Englalandes. c1400 (?c1380) Pearl l. 463 Þenne loke what hate oþer ay gawle Is tached oþer tyȝed þy lymmeȝ bytwyste. c1405 (c1395) G. Chaucer Franklin's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 284 Looke what day þ^t endelong Britayne Ye remoeue alle the Rokkes, stoon by stoon..Thanne wol I loue yow best of any man. 1535 Bible (Coverdale) Psalms i. 3 His leeues shal not fall off, and loke what soeuer he doth, it shal prospere. 1535 Bible (Coverdale) Ecclus. i. 13 The loue of God is honorable wiszdome: loke vnto whom it appeareth, they loue it. 1569 R. Grafton Chron. I. vii. 94 And looke what he commaunded, that was done, though some did murmure. a1600 R. Hooker Of Lawes Eccl. Politie vii. vi, in Wks. (1662) 15 He added farther, that look what duty the Roman Consuls did execute..the like charge had the Bishop. 1609 W. Shakespeare Sonnets xxxvii. sig. C4^v Looke what is best, that best I wish in thee. View more context for this quotation 1615 W. Lawson Country Housewifes Garden (1626) 23 And looke how farre a tree spreads his boughs aboue, so far doth he put his roots vnder the earth. 1625 C. Burges New Discouery Personal Tithes 31 And looke what the Lawes..enioyne, that thou must doe, or be a Rebell. 1743 A. Pope Dunciad (rev. ed.) p. xxxiv Look of what force ancient Piety was to draw the Gods into the party of Æneas, that, and much stronger is modern Incense, to engage the Great in the party of Dulness. b. intransitive. Used to emphasize the correspondence of relative and antecedent clauses, in look as ‘just as’. Obsolete. ΚΠ c1450 Med. Recipes (BL Add. 33996) in F. Heinrich Mittelengl. Medizinbuch (1896) 65 (MED) Loke as ofte as þou anoyntyst þy visage, þat as ofte þou anoynte þyne heued in þe nodul [a1500 Sloane 405 nuddol] be hynde wyþ hoot watur. ?1504 W. Atkinson tr. Ful Treat. Imytacyon Cryste (Pynson) i. xxiv. sig. Cv^v And loke as they be nowe iugyde of other men so thanne shall they iuge other. 1597 J. Tanner Serm. Paules Crosse (new ed.) 56 But looke as thou sinnest, so shalt thou haue the wages of sinne. 1675 T. Brooks Golden Key 302 Look, as the worth..of many pieces of Silver, is to be found in one piece of Gold; so all the petty excellencies that are scattered abroad in the creatures, are to be found in..Christ. II. To have a certain appearance. 11. a. intransitive. With adverb (in early use also adverbial phrase). To appear in a specified way; to have a specified look or appearance. Now somewhat archaic. N.E.D. (1903) remarks that ‘this use is often indiscriminately condemned, but is justly censurable only where look is virtually equivalent to seem, so that it requires a predicative complement and not a qualification of manner’, citing quot. 1648 as an example of the deprecated use, and adds that ‘look now rarely occurs with adverbs of manner other than well, ill, badly’.Some early instances may show an adjective in -ly suffix¹ rather than an adverb. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > thing seen > appearance or aspect > have (specific) appearance [verb (intransitive)] looka1225 to make semblantc1290 to make or show (a specified) semblancea1387 showc1480 show1526 eyea1616 aspect1635 face1669 regard1820 feature1941 a1225 (c1200) Vices & Virtues (1888) 133 (MED) Wurðliche hie deð lokin ðe manne ðe hes luuieð. ?c1335 in W. Heuser Kildare-Gedichte (1904) 102 Hi sul agrise And lok as bestis þat cun no witte. c1400 (c1378) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Laud 581) (1869) B. v. l. 189 So hungriliche [A text hungri] and holwe sire [Heruy] [MS Henri] hym loked. 1542 A. Borde Compend. Regyment Helth xxxix. sig. N.iii For that wyll cause a man to loke agedly. c1595 Countess of Pembroke Psalme cv. 59 in Coll. Wks. (1998) II. 164 Watry Nilus lookes with bloudy face. a1616 W. Shakespeare Winter's Tale (1623) iii. iii. 3 The skies looke grimly. View more context for this quotation 1648 T. Hill Olive Branch 40 This would make you look more amiably and smell more sweetly. 1683 T. Tryon Way to Health 609 How base a thing it is, and how unnaturally it looks, that men should value Money more than they do the Law of God. 1712 J. James tr. A.-J. Dézallier d'Argenville Theory & Pract. Gardening 21 Points and Corners advancing..look very ill upon the Ground. 1719 D. Defoe Farther Adventures Robinson Crusoe 342 To see who look'd with most Guilt in their Faces. 1781 W. Cowper Retirem. 567 Nature indeed looks prettily in rhyme. 1802 J. West Infidel Father II. xvi. 188 Do I also look meanly in her eyes? 1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. 497 On the whole, however, things as yet looked not unfavourably for James. 1891 Sir A. Wills in Law Times 91 233/2 Things had, by that time, begun to look badly for all concerned. 1904 Daily Chron. 1 Sept. 8/5 Corduroy velvet would certainly look well, but it would be less suitable than the woollen. 2014 K. Addison Goblin Emperor xv. 165 It looks ill for the emperor to arrive late to give an audience. b. intransitive. With various complements. To have the appearance, or give the impression, of being; to seem to the sight or to the mind.When used of a person, often with connotations of sense 1b (see note in etymology).For use in figurative phrases, as to look black, to look blue, to look small, etc., see the final element. ΚΠ c1330 [implied in: Short Metrical Chron. (Auch.) l. 1985 in PMLA (1931) 46 141/1 (MED) William þe red king..was..a wel sterne lokeand [a1400 BL Add. lokynge, c1432 Cambr. Dd.14.2 lokande] gome. (at looking adj. 1)]. c1390 (a1376) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Vernon) (1867) A. xi. l. 135 I kende furst Masouns, And lered hem liuel and lyne, þauȝ I loke dimme. a1450 (?c1421) J. Lydgate Siege Thebes (Arun.) (1911) l. 89 (MED) Ȝe be welcom..That loke so pale, al deuoyde of blood. 1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection iii. sig. ZZZi^v Resolueth all the grosenes of the oyle, and maketh it to loke clere. 1588 A. Munday tr. C. Colet Famous Hist. Palladine Eng. i. f. 2 The Clowde began to vanish away, and the heauens looked fayre and cheerefull as before. 1658 A. Wood Life & Times (1891) I. 243 He look'd elderly and was cynical and hirsute in his behavior. 1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis xi, in tr. Virgil Wks. 541 All pale he lies, and looks a lovely Flow'r. 1712 T. Hearne Remarks & Coll. (1889) III. 486 'Twould have look'd vain, and ostentatious. 1761 F. Sheridan Mem. Miss Sidney Bidulph I. 15 He is grown fat, and looks quite robust. 1801 M. Edgeworth Forester in Moral Tales I. 79 Henry looked in great anxiety. 1857 J. Ruskin Polit. Econ. Art i. 1 I see that some of my hearers look surprised at the expression. 1886 B. M. Butt Lesterre Durant I. xix. 304 London was certainly not looking its best. 1897 Windsor Mag. Jan. 274/1 No. 1..looked such a much larger house than it was..No. 2..was such a much larger house than it looked. 1911 R. D. Saunders Col. Todhunter iii. 43 It looks good to me, suh. 1959 A. Sillitoe Loneliness of Long-distance Runner iii. 185 The sports ground looked a treat: with big tea-tents all round and flags flying. 2012 Daily Tel. 9 May 20/1 It's tough to be a lonely proponent of graceful ageing, when almost every woman you know who looks fabulous after the age of 50 has had something done. c. intransitive. With to and infinitive. To seem to the view (literal and figurative). ΚΠ 1657 W. London Catal. Most Vendible Bks. Eng. To Rdr. sig. B3^v There's no action whose Naturall tendency is not to Meum, Tuum, or both..; neither do they look to me, To be such great opposites. 1725 R. Bradley Chomel's Dictionaire Œconomique at Fox-gloves Plant them gently.., take away every thing that looks to be dead about them. 1775 E. Burke Speech Resol. for Concil. Colonies 28 It looks to me to be narrow and pedantic, to apply the ordinary ideas of criminal justice to this great public contest. 1793 W. Roberts Looker-on No. 81. 646 To make a display..looks to be, with the major part, the real object which assembles them. 1801 Farmer's Mag. Nov. 420 The infield, or town-land..looked to be good. 1893 Graphic 25 Mar. 298/1 The Queen looked to be in good health. 1914 Automobile 27 Aug. 390/2 Always a front-runner, he soon opened a gap on the field which looked to be a safe one. 1945 H. L. Mencken Diary 30 Apr. (1989) 362 The wallpaper and carpets, not to mention the furniture, looked to be at least fifty years old. 2008 J. Hayes Precious Blood 84 Nothing looks to be stolen. d. intransitive. With noun phrase as complement. To have an appearance befitting or according with one's character, condition, role, etc. Cf. to look one's age at Phrases 2d, to look the sort (also type, kind) at Phrases 2e, to look the part at part n.¹ Phrases 3d(c).Recorded earliest in to look oneself at Phrases 2c. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > thing seen > appearance or aspect > have (specific) appearance [verb (transitive)] > have befitting appearance look1822 1822 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. July 79 How your brow it up-brightens—You now look yourself, man, and not a la Werter. 1825 N.-Y. Lit. Gaz. 3 Dec. 206/2 He looked (as it is technically expressed) the character extremely well. The reverent silver of his hair well accorded with his bent frame, tremulous voice, and feeble movements; he tottered across the stage like a man of fourscore. 1842 L. Hunt in Edinb. Rev. Oct. 208 Though people do not always seem what they are, it is seldom they do not look what they can do. 1877 C. M. Yonge Cameos cxxxviii, in Monthly Packet July 27 She looked her full forty-three years. 1913 W. D. Howells Familiar Spanish Trav. v. 116 A sort of handsome, foolish fleshy George Fourthish person looking his character and history. 1970 Flying Sept. s-15/1 They are ‘brains’, but they refuse to look the role. 2000 A. McCaffrey Pegasus in Space x. 235 Lieutenant Ranjit Youssef..successfully looked his role as a menial worker. III. To face a certain way, have a certain outlook. 12. a. intransitive. With adverb. Of a part of the body: to face or turn in a particular direction. Also figurative. Now rare. ΘΚΠ the world > space > direction > point or lie in a direction [verb (intransitive)] > have specific aspect > of parts of the body look?c1400 ?c1400 (c1380) G. Chaucer tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. (BL Add. 10340) (1868) iii. met. ii. l. 1879 Yif þat þe hande of hym þat it bente lat it gon aȝein. An oon þe crop lokeþ vp ryȝt to heuene. 1588 T. Hariot Briefe Rep. Virginia sig. D2 The snags of their [sc. Deare] hornes looke backward. 1656 J. Smith Compl. Pract. Physick 246 The knee and Foot look inwards. 1687 W. Hope Scots Fencing-master 17 The points of your Fingers must not look upwards, but pointing towards your Adversary. 1796 W. Withering Arrangem. Brit. Plants (ed. 3) I. 388 Bearing the flowers underneath, the florets looking downwards. 1863 T. H. Huxley Evid. Man's Place Nature i. 23 Their nostrils have a narrow partition, and look downwards. 1898 A. Cahan Imported Bridegroom iv. 194 The way her little nose, the least bit retroussé, would look upward. 1907 Practitioner Apr. 486 The arms are fixed in a position of rigid extension, and frequently superpronation, so that the palms looked outward. b. intransitive. With adverb complement or phrase. To have or afford a certain outlook or aspect; to face, front, or be turned towards, into, on to, etc. ΘΚΠ the world > space > direction > point or lie in a direction [verb (intransitive)] > have specific aspect beholda1382 look?1440 stand?1473 turn1535 prospect1555 spect1585 face1638 point1859 tr. Palladius De re Rustica (Duke Humfrey) (1896) ii. l. 345 (MED) Sette their tre to loke on thaquylone [L. in aquilonis partem dirigemus]. 1534 W. Marshall tr. Erasmus Playne & Godly Expos. Commune Crede f. 62^v It [sc. a gate] dyd not loke but onely towardis the easte, from whence the moste pure sonne dothe vprise. a1586 Sir P. Sidney Arcadia (1590) iii. xxi. sig. Vu2^v Each of these chambers had a litle windowe to looke into the hall. 1596 J. Dalrymple tr. J. Leslie Hist. Scotl. (1895) II. 193 That parte of the Castel that luikis to Tued. 1611 Bible (King James) Num. xxi. 20 Pisgah, which looketh toward Ieshimon. View more context for this quotation 1678 J. Dryden All for Love ii. 29 Unbar the Gate that looks to Cæsar's Camp. 1732 G. Berkeley Alciphron I. iii. i. 154 A Summer-Parlour which looks into the Garden. 1786 M. A. Meilan tr. A. Berquin Children's Friend XXIV. 71 All along the wall, that looked full south, were peaches, nectarines, and grapes. 1821 P. B. Shelley Epipsychidion 27 I have fitted up some chambers there Looking towards the golden Eastern air. 1866 M. Arnold Thyrsis ii, in Macmillan's Mag. Apr. 449 The Signal-Elm, that looks on Ilsley Downs. 1886 B. M. Butt Lesterre Durant I. v. 61 The windows looking north. 1941 D. Thomas Let. 22 May (1985) 484 I have the..summerhouse looking over the marsh to write in. a1985 P. White With the Jocks (2003) 7 A figure appeared for a few seconds at a window to the centre of a row of houses looking on the beach. 2010 J. McGregor Even Dogs 137 A window in one wall which looks on to a small office. 13. †a. intransitive. To display a tendency, or seem likely, to do something. Obsolete. rare. ΘΚΠ the world > existence and causation > existence > state or condition > tendency > tend or incline [verb (intransitive)] wryc888 driveOE drawc1175 rine?c1225 soundc1374 tendc1374 lean1398 clinea1400 movec1450 turnc1450 recline?a1475 covet1520 intend?1521 extenda1533 decline?1541 bow1562 bend1567 follow1572 inflecta1575 incline1584 warpa1592 to draw near1597 squint1599 nod1600 propend1605 looka1616 verge1664 gravitate1673 set1778 slant1850 trend1863 tilt1967 a1616 W. Shakespeare Coriolanus (1623) iii. iii. 29 He speakes What's in his heart, and that is there which lookes With vs to breake his necke. View more context for this quotation b. intransitive. To display a tendency; to tend, point (in a particular direction). Now rare. ΘΚΠ the world > existence and causation > existence > state or condition > tendency > tend or incline [verb (intransitive)] > go in a certain direction incline?a1475 alien?1541 propend1545 sway1556 wing1617 lie1633 look1647 vergea1661 bias1683 preponderate1693 give1840 canalize1927 1647 H. Hammond Of Power of Keyes iv. 84 The context looketh wholly that way. 1674 N. Fairfax Treat. Bulk & Selvedge 188 The Argument drawn from Gods unbounded power and goodness, as looking towards the behoof of the Creature will ever fall short upon this score. a1701 H. Maundrell Journey to Jerusalem (1721) 42 Its sense seems to look that way. 1745 J. Markland Remarks Epist. 100 The Meaning looks one way and the words another. 1806 H. K. White Let. July in Remains (1807) I. 233 He thinks it looks towards epilepsy. 1869 E. M. Goulburn Pursuit of Holiness x. 93 In this direction look the words of our Lord to St. Thomas. 1906 Eccl. Rev. Mar. 229 There is a dread in many loyal minds that the facts look toward the theory. 1951 E. J. Poole-Connor Evangelicalism in Eng. v. 63 It is impossible for them to credit that his salvation lay in the application of some uncertain rite... All the facts look the other way. Phrases P1. In phrases relating to the act of directing one's sight or attention, and related senses (cf. branch I.). a. With prepositions (chiefly at). (a) to look at (also †on, upon): (as postmodifying clause following an adjective such as fair, nice, ugly, etc.): with respect to appearance.not to be much to look at: see much pron. and n. 1c. ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > humility > feeling of shame > be ashamed [verb (intransitive)] > be embarrassed to look ateOE not to know which way (also where) to look1566 to sink through the floor1839 to have (get, etc.) egg on one's face1964 eOE tr. Orosius Hist. (BL Add.) (1980) ii. iv. 43 Seo burg wæs getimbred an fildum lande.., & heo wæs swiþe fæger an to locianne. lOE King Ælfred tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. (Bodl.) (2009) I. vi. 251 Þonne wyrð heo [sc. the sea] swiðe hraðe ungladu, þeah heo ær gladu wære on to locienne. c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 3585 Crist iss..luffsumm onn to lokenn. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) 23228 (MED) Fell dragons and tades bath þat ar apon to lok ful lath. ?a1475 (a1396) W. Hilton Scale of Perfection (Harl. 6579) i. lxxxv. f. 58 (MED) Þan is þis an vgli ymage for to loken vpon. 1535 Bible (Coverdale) Zech. v. 6 Euen thus are they (y^t dwell vpon the whole earth) to loke vpon. c1540 (?a1400) Gest Historiale Destr. Troy (2002) f. 26^v Large on to loke louely of shap. 1611 Bible (King James) Gen. xii. 11 I know that thou art a faire woman to looke vpon. View more context for this quotation 1697 J. Evelyn Numismata ix. 314 What is large, procere, goodly, and beautiful to look on. 1740 A. Baxter Matho I. v. 316 A clear whitish Maggot, not unpleasant to look at. 1776 J. Kennedy Treat. Planting xi. 252 They will grow very large, and fine to look at, but will not be so high-flavoured. 1838 Maritime Scraps 103 So clean, and round, and plump, and fat, So nice to look at, and all that. 1876 London Society Jan. 54/1 She is coarse and ugly to look at; but this is not all, for she is malicious and deceiving. 1913 ‘A. Hallard’ tr. ‘P. de Coulevain’ Amer. Nobility ii. iii. 241 Oh, but it is awful to look at! 1976 Ebony Oct. 146 (caption) The printed crepe-de-chine jumpsuit is as easy to wear as it is lovely to look at. 2003 Dreamwatch Aug. 68/1 This latest effort from the House of Mouse is both nice to look at and enjoyable to watch. (b) not to look at (also †on, †upon). Frequently with would, could. (i) To avoid completely; to have nothing to do with. ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > hatred > dislike > [verb (transitive)] mislikea1225 to like illa1350 to have no fancy with1465 mislovec1485 abominec1500 not to look ata1529 to have no will of, (also in)1548 misaffect1586 to have or take a stitch againsta1591 dislike1593 to take (a) toy to (also at)1598 disfavour1599 disgust1601 disaffect1609 mistaste1613 disrelisha1616 dispalate1630 abominate1652 disfancy1657 to have it in for1825 to have a down on1835 to sour on1862 to go off ——1877 derry1896 the world > action or operation > doing > activity or occupation > occupy or engage (a person) [verb (transitive)] > have to do with or be involved in or with > not not to look ata1529 to have nothing to say to (also with)1603 a1529 J. Skelton Magnyfycence (?1530) sig. Gi^v What wylte thou skelpe me y^u dare not loke on a gnat. 1657 J. Dodington tr. C. Vialart Hist. Govt. France 461 Charles the Seventh, would not look upon his Son..for having treated a Match with Charlotte de Savoy, without his knowledge. 1796 P. Hoare Lock & Key ii. 39 I see he wo'n't even look at the steward except by proxy. 1859 Ld. Tennyson Enid in Idylls of King 81 If he rise no more, I will not look at wine until I die. 1881 Jrnl. Soc. Arts 4 Feb. 193/1 They took securities, which, in cooler moments, they would not look at. 1920 Boys' Life Sept. 48/1 (advt.) You know that fox won't look at your traps. 1990 J. McGahern Amongst Women 14 ‘Are you sure you won't chance a drop?’.. ‘I couldn't handle it... I had to give it up. Now I couldn't look at it.’ 2010 B. Gruley Skeleton Box xiv. 138 I couldn't look at another can of SpaghettiOs. (ii) not to look at (a person) and variants: to find (a person) unattractive; to show no romantic or sexual interest in (a person). Occasionally in positive contexts. ΚΠ 1750 Fables & Tales for Ladies 139 Cloddy, muddy pated Cur, Wou'd not so much as look at her. 1782 F. Burney Cecilia V. ix. ii. 25 I am sure if my son had ever done it [i.e. worked in business], I should not expect any lady would so much as look at him. 1842 K. Thomson Widows & Widowers I. xiv. 311 She wouldn't even look at him; yet I may say he offers to her once a year, still. 1894 E. Œ. Somerville & ‘M. Ross’ Real Charlotte II. xx. 78 There was no other woman here that signified except Miss Dysart, and it didn't seem likely she'd look at him. 1937 M. Sharp Nutmeg Tree xx. 266 If I married you I'd never look at another man so long as I lived. 1981 T. C. Boyle Water Music (1983) iii. 408 Would she so much as look at another man if he hadn't broken his marital vows? 2007 Independent 22 Sept. 49/6 He told her that he loved her, wanted her to have his baby which he'd cherish to his dying breath, and would never look at another woman again. (c) (i) to look on (formerly also †to) the bright (or dark, etc.) side of (something): to consider a positive (or negative) aspect or facet of (something, esp. a situation or event); to regard (something) with optimism (or pessimism). ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > pleasure > cheerfulness > be cheerful [verb (intransitive)] > be cheerfully optimistic to look on (formerly also to) the bright (or dark, etc.) side of (something)1663 the mind > emotion > suffering > dejection > melancholy > be or become melancholy [verb (intransitive)] > view pessimistically to look on (formerly also to) the bright (or dark, etc.) side of (something)1848 1663 T. Brooks in Second & Last Coll. London Ministers Farewel Serm. 68 Look as well on the bright side as on the darke side of the cloud. 1715 G. Sendall Disc. Brevity & Misery Human Life 34 Many look only on the bright Side, and best part of it. 1787 P. H. Maty tr. J. K. Riesbeck Trav. Germany I. xx. 232 It is very true, that when you look on the dark side of them only, great cities seem a disgrace to humanity. 1833 W. F. Hook Let. 9 Dec. in W. R. W. Stephens Life & Lett. W. F. Hook (1878) I. iv. 258 I am a bit of an optimist, I always look to the bright side of things. 1848 J. Ruskin Let. 17 Mar. in M. Lutyens Ruskins & Grays (1972) xi. 98 My disposition is to look to the worst side of things and..I feared you were entirely ruined. 1875 Missouri Dental Jrnl. 7 279 He always looked on the gloomy side of this world's affairs. 1914 R. L. Frost North of Boston 69 But I don't count on it as much as Len. He looks on the bright side of everything. 1926 Hardware Dealers' Mag. Mar. 29 (advt.) Why look on the unpleasant side of this picture. 2007 J. Swain Midnight Rambler vii. 41 Jessie was always telling me to look on the bright side of things. (ii) to look on the dark (or black, gloomy, etc.) side: to be pessimistic or miserable. ΚΠ 1790 C. Moore Full Inq. Suicide I. ii. iv. 59 Why should he look on the dark side only, and yield to every gloomy and melancholic impression? 1832 Missionary Herald (Boston) Sept. 308/1 Having rather a propensity to look on the dark side. 1856 Peterson's Mag. Oct. 248/1 A cold stormy night... And one to make a man fear evil things—have strange fancies, and look on the gloomy side. 1915 Sun (Baltimore) 20 June iv. 5/2 You must not look on the black side like that. 1973 Financial Times 17 Nov. 17/8 Still, that's looking on the bleak side. 2010 C. Young Help Yourself towards Mental Health 150 You constantly look on the dark side. (iii) to look on the bright (also positive, etc.) side: to be optimistic or cheerful, esp. in the face of difficulties. Frequently in imperative. ΚΠ 1793 S. Hopkins Syst. of Doctr. II. ii. iv. 152 The other..looks more on the favourable side, and makes the best of what he sees in himself. 1821 Relig. Intelligencer (New-Haven, Conn.) 25 Aug. 206/2 One looks on the bright side and is captivated. 1852 H. B. Stowe Uncle Tom's Cabin II. xxiv. 82 Well, of course, if you can look on the bright side, pray do. 1919 Mind & Body Mar. 45 Let us look on the positive side. 1942 ‘P. Wentworth’ Pursuit of Parcel xi. 51 Well, ducks, I shouldn't take on. Look on the bright side. 2008 B. A. Smith Path of Reason vii. 196 It is the desire for happiness that often causes people to say that we should look on the bright side. (d) to look at him (also her, etc.): judging from his (her, etc.) appearance. ΚΠ 1739 H. Baker & J. Miller tr. Molière School for Wives iv. i, in Molière Wks. III. 193 One would swear, to look at her [Fr. à la voir], that she had not the least Hand in't. 1791 A. Berquin tr. Mme de Cambon Little Grandison ii. iii. 75 One would think, to look at him, that he had done the mischief himself. 1846 Bentley's Misc. 20 433 No one would think me more than five or six-and-thirty, to look at me. 1898 Westm. Gaz. 16 Apr. 1/3 Celia is strong-minded. You would not think so to look at her. 1908 F. M. White Myst. Four Fingers xxiii. 267 A counterfeit. You wouldn't think so to look at it, would you? 1951 Rotarian Oct. 24/1 To look at him you'd never guess that for 18 years..he had to walk on all fours. 2007 M. Bostwick On Wings of Morning xxxii. 280 You've got a big appetite. Though you'd never know it to look at you. (e) as soon (also quick) as look at you (also him, etc.): (esp. with reference to rash or hostile action) immediately and without hesitation. ΚΠ 1765 I. Bickerstaff Maid of Mill ii. x. 51 Ecod I'd try a bout as soon as look at him. 1829 T. C. Croker Legends Lakes I. ii. 43 A jantleman that'll put his hand in his pocket and give a man a two-an'-sixpenny bit as soon as look at him. 1881 Californian Aug. 173/2 She's so strong when she's mad, she just lifts up her foot and slams a door through quick as look at it. 1946 E. O'Neill Iceman Cometh iii. 193 From what I've seen of 'em..they'd run over you as soon as look at you. 1971 ‘M. Torrie’ Bismarck Herrings xi. 156 Threatened to report you to the council as soon as look at you, she did. 2009 M. Barratt Wild Man (2010) x. 104 The old monster'd have me in the river as soon as look at me. (f) colloquial. With objective pronoun used reflexively. never (also not) to look behind one: = never (also not) to look back at Phrasal verbs 1. Now rare. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > prosperity > advancement or progress > advance, progress, or develop [verb (intransitive)] > advance or make progress > uninterrupted never (also not) to look behind one1821 1821 Newcastle Mag. May 507/1 Self prostration is the sure way to independence... Isaac Huckaback, the haberdasher, never looked behind him after he began to cringe. c1852 in E. Bellasis Memorials Mr. Serjeant Bellasis (1893) 150 He did not look behind him, but got better and better. 1911 C. Richardson New Bk. Horse xviii. 232/2 It took him the best part of another year to acquire condition. After that, he never looked behind him, and he is now in his tenth season as a hunter. (g) Cricket colloquial. to be able to look at: (of a batter) to be able to cope with, to do well against (a bowler, etc.). Chiefly in negative contexts. Now rare. ΚΠ 1863 Baily's Monthly Mag. Apr. 150 The former [sc. certain bowlers] gradually ‘lifted it’ higher and higher, until on some grounds in hot, dry weather ‘a batsman could hardly look at them’. 1895 Daily News 26 Aug. 7/1 When he [sc. a bowler] went on for the second time the batsmen..‘could not look at him’. 1904 R. S. Holmes Hist. Yorks. County Cricket xi. 143 Only one batsman—Gregory—could look at the bowling. (h) here's looking at you: used as a toast.Now widely associated with the film Casablanca (1942); see quots. 1942, 2005. ΚΠ 1871 Philadelphia Photographer Aug. 253/1 Well! here's looking at you. 1930 J. Dos Passos 42nd Parallel i. 119 ‘Pard, have that on me.’.. ‘Thanks, here's lookin at you.’ 1942 J. Epstein et al. Casablanca in Best Amer. Screenplays (1986) 143/2 Here's looking at you, kid. 1979 D. Ellis tr. R. Marteau Pentecost xvi. 60 Piedlevé grabbed his glass in his right hand and stood up abruptly. ‘Here's looking at you!’ 2005 T. Darlington Narrow Dog to Carcassonne (2006) v. 146 At this speed we won't live to get to Paris... But here's looking at you, kid. b. Proverbial and idiomatic phrases. †(a) to live and look: to retain one's faculties. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > health and disease > be in state of health [verb (intransitive)] > be in usual health to live and lookc1390 to be myselfa1675 to feel (quite) oneself1812 to look oneself1822 to feel (quite) like oneself1838 to feel (like) myself1886 c1390 (a1376) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Vernon) (1867) A. ix. l. 49 But ȝif I may liuen and loken I schal go lerne betere. (b) Proverb. look before you leap and variants: one should not act without first considering the possible consequences or dangers; one should avoid acting rashly or impetuously. ΚΠ c1450 MS Douce 52 in Festschrift zum XII. Neuphilologentage (1906) 57 (MED) First loke and aftirward lepe. 1528 W. Tyndale Obed. Christen Man f. cxxx Loke yer thou lepe, whose literall sence is, doo nothynge sodenly or without avisemente. 1582 G. Whetstone Heptameron Ciuill Disc. iii. sig. k.ij Looke before you leape, leaste you be wet, before you be a ware. 1629 F. Quarles Argalus & Parthenia i. 35 The sickle that's too early, cannot reape A fruitfull Haruest: Looke, before you leape. 1659 J. Howell Prov. Eng. Toung 9/1 in Παροιμιογραϕια Look ere you leap. 1718 C. Molloy Coquet ii. 42 We must take care of our selves, and look before we leap. 1793 M. Pilkington Rosina III. ix. 58 There's no good in being in a hurry:—people should always look before they leap. 1816 J. Wilson City of Plague i. ii. 90 Ay, she intends to look before she leaps. 1872 Tinsleys' Mag. Mar. 191/2 The advantage of looking before you leap, or, in other words, of not being carried away by your impulses. 1904 Jrnl. Gas Lighting 9 Feb. 335/2 Some wiser than the others have looked before they leapt, and have given the matter some consideration. 1966 M. Pei How to learn Langs. 60 Look before you leap, and browse before you buy. 2010 L. M. Dietlin Transformational Philanthropy xii. 150 Look before you leap: there is a lot more to running a foundation and administering a grants program than meets the eye. (c) not to know which way (also where) to look and variants: to be overwhelmed or confounded, esp. (in later use) with embarrassment. ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > humility > feeling of shame > be ashamed [verb (intransitive)] > be embarrassed to look ateOE not to know which way (also where) to look1566 to sink through the floor1839 to have (get, etc.) egg on one's face1964 1566 W. Painter Palace of Pleasure I. lii. f. 305 He..was so astonned, that many tymes being before her, he coulde not tell which way to loke or tourne his face. 1622 J. Mabbe tr. M. Alemán Rogue ii. 173 I did itch all the while this tale was on foot, and knew not which way to looke, nor what to say. 1658 P. Goodwin Mystery of Dreames i. 3 It came upon us so secret and so sudden, that we were at a loss, and knew not which way to look. 1725 G. Odingsells Bath Unmask'd ii. vi. 25 I am so confounded at your Impudence, I dont know which way to look. 1776 Lady A. Miller Lett. from Italy II. xxxii. 142 I was so amazed, so astonished,..that I did not know which way to look. 1814 J. Austen Mansfield Park I. v. 101 She came up to me..and talked and laughed till I did not know which way to look. I felt that I must be the jest of the room. View more context for this quotation 1861 C. M. Yonge Young Step-mother xxviii. 420 Albinia did not know which way to look when all was ascribed to Mr. Kendal's great kindness to him. 1918 R. Cohen Out of Shadow xxiii. 93 Neither of them spoke for a few minutes and Kate did not know where to look. 1941 H. Nicolson Diary 8 July (1967) 177 He then stalks out of the room. We are left ashamed and wretched and do not know which way to look. 2001 C. Hope Heaven Forbid vi. 67 You were a very sick child... And then, if you'd—after the trouble they took—if you'd … Well, if you had—I wouldn't have known where to look. 2012 Border Mail (Nexis) 12 May 23 He crooned, some of the ladies just smiled and many didn't know which way to look. (d) to look over one's shoulder: (a) to look back or behind, especially to check for possible danger; frequently in to be looking over one's shoulder: to be anxious or insecure about a perceived threat; (b) figurative to reflect upon the past; to call to mind, recollect, or draw inspiration from past events. ΚΠ 1570 J. Foxe Actes & Monumentes (rev. ed.) II. 1396/2 Then Filmer looking ouer his shoulder, desired some good body to let him see the booke of Statutes. 1628 Z. Boyd Last Battell Soule 938 O my deare friendes looke ouer your shulder back to your bygone life. 1710 W. Oldisworth Dial. Timothy & Philatheus II. viii. 194 If you turn your Back, be sure you look over your Shoulder, for fear of being assaulted from behind. 1791 J. Lackington Memoirs iv. 25 The man who had the sheet on, looked over his shoulder, and saw..a person all over black behind him. 1817 J. Bradbury Trav. Amer. 19 He ran nearly half way across the plain before he ventured to look over his shoulder, when he perceived that the Indians were very much scattered. 1895 B. Harrison in H. Casson ‘Uncle Jerry’ i. 5 You had no need to look over your shoulder when Jerry Rusk stood between you and those who assailed you from the rear. 1925 S. Lewis Arrowsmith xxxvi. 399 He hated the criticism of his fellow laboratory-grinds as he had hated their competition; he had hated the need of forever looking over his shoulder at pursuers. 1933 H. Loeb Life in Technocracy vi. 136 The romances, the adventure stories, and the success epics suffer, in the telling more than in the showing, from the producers looking over their shoulders at some ideal they confuse with literature. 1973 I. Reed in J. O'Brien Interviews with Black Writers 181 I think that the young black writer draws from this experience instead of looking over his shoulder to Homer. 2005 Gay Times Dec. 107/1 It's best to be honest now, otherwise you'll always be looking over your shoulder, wondering if you might get caught. (e) go look: used to convey a contemptuous refusal to answer a question; ‘find out for yourself’. Now rare (English regional in later use). N.E.D. (1900, at Go v.) notes: ‘common in Derbyshire’.In quot. 1596 as a polite translation for a more scatological expression in the original Latin. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > discovery > find for yourself [phrase] go look1596 1596 J. Harington tr. T. More in New Disc. Aiax 23 Against garlikes sauour, at one word, I know but one receipt, whats that? go looke [L. tantum tollere merda potest]. 1597 J. Lyly Woman in Moone v. sig. Fii^v If you aske me why I sing, I say yee may go looke. 1622 T. Dekker & P. Massinger Virgin Martir v. sig. K4^v The. What's thy name slaue? Har. Goe looke. 1784 S. Johnson Let. 27 Mar. in J. Boswell Life Johnson (1791) II. 485 He [sc. John Floyer] was not much less than eighty, when to a man of rank who modestly asked him his age, he answered, ‘Go look’. 1790 Old Poor Robin 43 But why dont you continue that manner?..why dont you write as formerly? My answer was—Go look. 1820 R. Anderson Poet Wks. II. 144 I ax'd a smart chap where to fin cousin Jacep, Says he, ‘Clown, go look!’ 1825 Edinb. Mag. Jan. 46/1 When we inquire of the grey-haired man our way to the next village, he bids us go, look—of the child, follow your nose. (f) to look one's (also the) last: to take a final look; to look for the last time. Also with at, on, upon. Cf. sense 1d, last n.⁴ 4b. Now somewhat archaic. ΚΠ 1599 W. Shakespeare Romeo & Juliet v. iii. 112 Eyes looke your last . View more context for this quotation 1676 N. Lee Sophonisba ii. i. 16 My Eyes twinkle as they'd look their last. 1684 N. Lee Constantine Great v. ii. 56 Thou hast look'd thy last. 1707 E. Settle Siege of Troy iii. 21 My Paris dead! On this sad Object fixt, Eyes look your last. 1770 O. Goldsmith Deserted Village 20 The poor exiles..fondly looked their last, And took a long farewell. 1888 T. Whitelaw Gospel St. John 413 Mary was there to look the last..upon her Son. 1896 A. E. Housman Shropshire Lad viii. 13 Terence, look your last at me, For I come home no more. 1918 H. R. Haggard Love Eternal xiii. 241 She looked her last on the snows of the glorious peak of Orizaba, but soon these faded away into the skyline. 1954 J. R. R. Tolkien Fellowship of Ring ii. viii. 394 I have looked the last upon that which was fairest. 2004 A. Sallah & C. Ellery tr. W. Ikhlassi Whatever happened to Antara 31 She went out into the diwan, as if to look her last on the elephant ear. †(g) look else: see whether it is not so. Obsolete (poetic and archaic in later use). ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > truthfulness, veracity > tell the truth [verb (transitive)] > test truth of look else1610 try1970 1610 Bp. J. Hall Sixt Decade v. 45 in Epist. (1611) III. Looke else, where the Church of Thyatira suffers the Woman Iezabel to teach and deceyue. 1677 Mite from Mourner (single sheet) Its not all that cries to Christ, Lord, Lord, Must enter Heaven: look else in his Word, Though this Age fancies all that dyes are blest. ?1758 J. Railton Introd. Extract entitled Zealous Remonstr. 23 Look-else; Britons may see—That I am no Dastard. 1874 A. C. Swinburne Bothwell i. i. 4 I am no king mayhap—I do not say yet I shall die no king—God knows that, and is wise—but man I am, Look else, who love you. (h) to look to the future: to anticipate, consider, or plan for future events or circumstances, esp. as an alternative to focusing on the short term or worrying about the past or present; cf. to look ahead at Phrasal verbs 1. ΚΠ 1620 F. W. Paterson Protestants Theol. 38 Hope and confidence respect, and looke to the future. 1658 A. Burgess Treat. Orig. Sinne iii. i. 214 It is wisdome to look to the future. 1786 H. Mackenzie Lounger No. 66 262 There was scarce a past tense in his ideas; they always looked to the future. 1835 T. Arnold Let. 10 Feb. in A. P. Stanley Life of Dr. Arnold (1844) I. 365 The Conservatives and the Advancers; those who look to the past or present, and those who look to the future. 1861 Amer. Agriculturist July 207/2 We therefore advise the economy which looks to the future of the meadow. Do not cut next year's grass in the great eagerness to make the most of the present crop. 1913 Hist. Teacher's Mag. Apr. 94/1 History steadies us in our own day, and enables us to run our race with patience, looking to the future with confidence. 1963 M. Stocks E. Simon of Manch. xi. 152 He had always looked to the future. Now the future held this mushroom cloud of menace. 2004 Independent 28 July 7/2 While there were undoubtedly many in the energised convention hall wishing they could turn back the clock, Mr Clinton urged that they look to the future. (i) look what you've done! (and variants): used to rebuke or chide someone immediately after he or she has done something considered to be wrong, foolish, or inconsiderate. ΚΠ 1795 J. Haslewood Secret Hist. Green-room (new ed.) I. 56 ‘O you rude man, look what you have done’, said the lady! 1835 J. H. Sealy Facts & Fictions viii. 181 ‘Why, Willie, man!’ said Jenny at length, losing all patience; ‘look what you have done!’ 1882 Sheffield & Rotherham Independent 15 July Suppl. 16/5 You ought to be ashamed of yourself! Look what you've done! 1900 E. W. Hornung Peccavi (1901) xix. 222 ‘Look what you've gone and done’, said Busby, reproachfully, displaying the yolk in the cup. 1986 A. Price For Good of State ii. i. 24 ‘Look what you've done to me!’ She surveyed herself. ‘Christ!’ 2002 R. Murphy Kick (2003) 50 Look what you've done, boys! The bogwood is entirely lost. You'll be lucky if we can hold the fire at the canal and save the house. (j) to look the other way: to pretend not to see or notice; spec. to deliberately ignore wrongdoing by others. ΚΠ 1821 H. M. Jones Gretna Green vii. 102 She instantly turned her head, and pertinaciously persisted in looking the other way. 1879 Rose-Belford's Canad. Monthly Nov. 458/2 An optimism..which got rid of the perplexities suggested by the want and wretchedness of the lower classes..by steadily looking the other way, and passing it by on the other side. 1919 ‘K. Mansfield’ Let. 28 Oct. (1993) III. 56 Ill try my best..to look the other way when you hang over precipices and lean out of trains & dangle out of boats. 1969 M. H. Wolf Vermont is always with You 46 They thrashed and squirmed while I manfully struggled to hold each one by the hind legs and ladyfully looked the other way. 1986 S. Penman Here be Dragons (1991) (U.K. ed.) ii. x. 711 How many unhappy husbands have suspected you of cuckolding them and yet looked the other way? 2008 N.Y. Rev. Bks. 20 Mar. 28/2 In the buildup to today's mortgage market mess, numerous potentially helpful government agencies..either dropped the ball or looked the other way. (k) don't look now (but): (prefacing a remark) originally used to get the hearer's attention, while warning against an immediate glance or reaction; (in later use also (chiefly humorous)) used to introduce a statement or topic considered to be exciting, challenging, or unexpected. ΚΠ 1871 Temple Bar July 71 ‘Look now,’ he went on. ‘No, not now, they may notice... There they are; by that far window.’... As Tom said, ‘Don't look now’, of course I looked directly. 1886 Puck (N.Y.) 29 Dec. 295 Don't look now, but Jack Meredith is directly across the hall from us. 1919 L. P. Heydemann Lily Carthew's Monologues 65 Don't look now. She knows we're talking about her. 1936 Miami (Okla.) Daily News-Record 3 June 5/8 Don't look now but I think ‘Gob’ Taylor is trying to steal home. 1968 Globe & Mail (Toronto) 28 June 23/8 Don't look now, but I'm afraid my credibility gap was showing a bit in a column I wrote the other day. 1998 A. Pease & B. Pease Why Men don't listen & Women can't read Maps (2004) ii. 19 ‘Don't look now!’ she hissed. ‘You're so obvious!’ 2014 Daily News (N.Y.) (Nexis) 3 July (Sports section) 70 Don't look now, but there's a seven-time Wimbledon champion who is two victories away from making it eight. (l) transitive. colloquial (originally U.S.). look who's here: used to express surprise, pleasure, annoyance, etc., at the arrival of a person. ΚΠ 1905 Sun (Baltimore) 28 Nov. 1/1 (advt.) Next week will be a strenuous one, for ‘look who's here’. Geo. M. Cohan, the kid that's all the candy. 1949 N. Marsh Swing, Brother, Swing iii. 48 ‘Well, well, well,’ he said. ‘Look who's here.’ 1982 W. E. B. Griffin Lieutenants 216 ‘Well, look who's here,’ he said, softly, as much to himself as to Sharon when he stepped inside the door. 2003 D. Denisoff Winter Gardeners 125 Oh Jem, look who's here. Reg and John. What a pleasant surprise. (m) (originally North American) look (ma, mom, etc.), no hands: (a) used as a boastful cry (originally and typically by a child to a parent or other adult) seeking attention or admiration for performing a difficult or complicated activity (often cycling) hands-free; (b) attributive designating something showy or ostentatious.In quot. 1937 shouted by a little girl as she slides down a banister. ΚΠ 1937 E. Bushmiller Fritzi Ritz in Berkeley (Calif.) Daily Gaz. 7 Apr. 17/1 (cartoon caption) Yippee! Look Aunt Fritzi—no hands!! 1942 Mason City (Iowa) Globe-Gaz. 6 Oct. 12/2 As he blithely rode by the house with both hands above his head he proudly yelled to his dear mother at the window: ‘Look, ma, no hands.’ 1949 Life 20 June 34/1 The most buoyant of the second-generation Roosevelts happily floated with a ‘look, no hands’ gesture in Dead Sea. 1962 Mass. Audubon 47 40/1 If I could be a bird, I'd be a chimney swift, they have..so much fun... A sort of ‘look Ma no hands’ bravura. 2002 Time 7 Oct. 107/2 (advt.) In the car headsets that can survive the rigors of everyday life... All so you can brag, ‘Look Mom, no hands!’ as you drive and talk on your phone. 2009 Irish Times (Nexis) 27 Nov. (‘The Ticket’ Suppl.) 15 This is a look ma, no hands collection: improvisational in tone and experimental in mood. (n) to look alive: see alive adj. Phrases 5. to look lively: see lively adj. and n. Phrases. to look down one's nose: see nose n. Phrases 1c(b). to look sharp: see sharp adv. Phrases. to look smart: see smart adj. Phrases 1. P2. In phrases relating to appearance (cf. branch II.). a. to look like. (a) To have the appearance of being, to seem to be; to resemble in appearance.to look like a million dollars: see million adj. 5. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > thing seen > appearance or aspect > have (specific) appearance [verb (transitive)] beareOE to look likec1390 showa1425 fantasy?1611 weara1616 strikea1701 to make likea1881 the world > relative properties > relationship > similarity > render similar to [verb (transitive)] > be like, resemble, or take after to bear a resemblance toa1225 semblec1330 resemble1340 to look likec1390 representa1398 belikec1475 assemble1483 express1483 to take after ——1553 figure1567 assimilate1578 besib1596 imitate1601 resemblance1603 respect1604 favour1609 image1726 mirror1820 facsimile1839 turn after ——1848 picture1850 c1390 (a1376) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Vernon) (1867) A. vii. l. 164 Hongur..Buffetede þe [brutiner] aboute boþe his chekes; He lokede lyk a Lanterne al his lyf After. a1450 York Plays (1885) 281 (MED) He lokis like a lambe. 1533 T. More Debellacyon Salem & Bizance ii. xvi. f. lxxxv^v A periured wytnesse, that wyll loke lyke a lambe, and saye contrarye to that he hathe deposed before. 1581 J. Studley tr. Seneca Hippolytus iv, in T. Newton et al. tr. Seneca 10 Trag. f. 67 Lyke lusty young Perithous he looketh in the face. 1629 J. Earle Micro-cosmogr. (ed. 5) xxxiv. sig. G4^v One that lookes like a proud man, but is not. 1662 E. Stillingfleet Origines Sacræ ii. v. §3 There is some thing looks very like this in the proceedings of the people of Israel against the Prophet Jeremiah. 1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 50. ¶8 The Women look like Angels. a1715 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Own Time (1724) I. 606 He had a humour in his leg, which looked like the beginning of the gout. 1773 O. Goldsmith She stoops to Conquer ii. 46 My dear squire, this looks like a lad of spirit. 1846 Columbian Mag. Sept. 100/1 Don't you think he looks like you, Frank? 1861 M. Pattison in Westm. Rev. Apr. 410 The payment in kind, and not in money, looks like a customary acknowledgment from an old-established guild. 1884 W. C. Smith Kildrostan 43 She..looked like a monument planted there. 1919 Bessemer Monthly (Grove City, Pa.) Sept. 11/2 ‘You look like an idiot!’ said a disgusted father to his son. 1970 N. Marsh When in Rome v. 127 ‘Wouldn't it be a yell if..you were The Man?’ ‘Do I look like it?’ 2011 T. Ronald Becoming Nancy (2012) xix. 258 Miss Jibbs..looks like a coke fiend to me. (b) With gerund, verbal noun, or noun: to give promise or indication of, show a likelihood of. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > probability, likelihood > be or seem likely [verb (intransitive)] appeara1530 to have some show1556 think1579 to look like1594 to put fairc1595 had liked to1600 to show for ——1776 fare1850 show1901 1594 W. Shakespeare Lucrece sig. E3 Thou look'st not like deceipt, do not deceiue me. View more context for this quotation 1694 Bp. G. Burnet Four Disc. iii. 73 This Exposition has a fair appearance, and looks like being true. 1747 Gentleman's Mag. Aug. 383/1 Parties may be abolish'd, but the late dissolution of the parliament don't look much like it. 1868 E. Yates Rock Ahead II. ii. viii. 245 Wooded uplands suggested good cover-shooting; broad expanse of heath looked very like rabbits. 1883 J. W. Sherer At Home & in India 158 Later on, indeed, after supper, he grew worse—looked like biting—and..tore the bouquet in pieces. 1888 H. F. Lester Hartas Maturin II. ii. 34 It looks like rain. 1923 Humorist 1 Sept. 141/2 (caption) Looks like being a 'ot day. Blinking good job I put me straw 'at on! 1973 A. Broinowski Take One Ambassador ii. 21 I look like being in and out of the office a lot in the next few days. 2012 Independent 27 June 21/1 If the eurozone really looks like breaking up,..then the poor old German taxpayers will be made to stump up. (c) colloquial. (it) looks like. (i) Chiefly followed by it: it appears to be the case; it seems likely. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > probability, likelihood > be likely [phrase] as (it) is likely1395 it is likely1395 it is odds (that, but)1589 (the) odds are1697 looks like?1746 ?1746 T. Sheridan Brave Irishman i. ii. 11 Capt. May be he has a mind to put the Front upon me. Cheat. It looks like it, very like it, Captain. 1825 ‘E. Hardcastle’ 29th May II. vi. 82 ‘This I suppose is the last act of..the glorious sixteen hundred and sixty.’ ‘By the Lord, as you say, Master D'Urfey, it looks like it.’ 1892 A. Conan Doyle Adventures Sherlock Holmes (U.S. ed.) x. 320 ‘You have been reading the papers diligently of late, have you not?’ ‘It looks like it,’ said I, ruefully. 1910 W. M. Raine Bucky O'Connor 55 Your cook, Anderson, kid-napped the child, looks like to me. 1972 G. Bromley In Absence of Body viii. 101 ‘And now I suppose you've got to find a replacement?’ ‘Looks like it.’ 2004 N. Redfern Three Men seeking Monsters xv. 232 ‘You mean I have to go trudging through another bloody wood?’ ‘It certainly looks like it, mate.’ (ii) Originally U.S. With following clause: it appears as though, seems likely that (something is the case). ΚΠ 1866 Detroit Free Press 31 Jan. It looks like they are really humbugging the poor darkey. 1890 Atlanta Constit. 18 June 1/6 The republican leaders have taken the bit in their teeth and it looks like they are going to run right square into a warmer country before they can be checked. 1936 M. Mitchell Gone with the Wind i. i. 11 Don't it look to you like she would of asked us to stay for supper? 1973 Guardian 31 Jan. 4/7 Looks like your child's birthday is news again this year. 2012 T. Wolfe Back to Blood xviii. 598 He had his arms stretched out. It looked like he was about to embrace them both in a Russian bear hug. b. to look as if (also though). (a) With following clause. To suggest by appearance that something is the case. Formerly also †to look as. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > relationship > similarity > render similar to [verb (transitive)] > look as if or appear to be to look as ifc1400 c1400 (?a1300) Kyng Alisaunder (Laud) (1952) l. 1092 (MED) Jn herte he gynneþ fecche mood And lokeþ as he were wood. a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 233 He leuket as he culd lern tham a. 1590 C. Marlowe Tamburlaine: 2nd Pt. sig. G8^v The houses burnt, wil looke as if they mourn'd. 1611 B. Jonson Catiline iv. sig. L3 Looke they, as they were built to shake the world? View more context for this quotation 1656 New Case put to Old Lawyer 7 Three or four..decayed followers, who looked as though they had been Prison-powder'd. 1700 J. Dryden Flower & Leaf in Fables 385 I took the way, Which through a Path, but scarcely printed, lay;..And look'd, as lightly press'd, by Fairy Feet. 1789 Walker's Hibernian Mag. Jan. 44/2 His blood vessels looked as though they would burst with plenitude. 1809 B. H. Malkin tr. A. R. Le Sage Adventures Gil Blas II. v. i. 279 Pedro was dumb-founded, and looked as if he could not help it. 1898 F. Montgomery Tony i. 9 She looked as if she were thoroughly bored. 1939 W. S. Maugham Christmas Holiday iii. 78 With his hair all tousled he looks as if he was sixteen. 1982 ‘L. Cody’ Bad Company x. 64 She looked as if she was enjoying herself. 2012 S. Townsend Woman who went to Bed for Year i. 2 A Clara Bow mouth that always looked as though she were about to speak. (b) With indefinite subject and following clause, as it looks (or things look) as if, etc.: it appears as though, seems likely that (something is the case). ΚΠ 1655 Bp. J. Taylor Vnum Necessarium Ep. Ded. A5 It looks as if men had no designe in the world, but to be suffered to die quietly. 1700 T. Brown Amusem. Serious & Comical ix. 91 It looks as if Physicians learnt their Gibberish for no other purpose, than to embroil what they do not understand. 1790 E. Burke Refl. Revol. in France 11 It looks to me as if I were in a great crisis. View more context for this quotation 1830 S. E. Dwight Life President Edwards xxvii. 523 It looked as though the great struggle was over. 1892 St. Nicholas Mag. 14 538/1 It looked as if there was going to be a free fight. 1927 Rattle of Theta Chi Jan. 66/2 With the coming of track and basketball next quarter things look as if we would have a new number a little nearer the top. 1955 E. Hillary High Adventure vi. 102 Now it looked as though they might have done it. 2004 Daily Tel. 1 Apr. 28/5 After five years in the job, it looked as if he would lose out on another key promotion. c. to look oneself: to appear one's usual self, esp. in respect of health. ΘΚΠ the world > health and disease > be in state of health [verb (intransitive)] > be in usual health to live and lookc1390 to be myselfa1675 to feel (quite) oneself1812 to look oneself1822 to feel (quite) like oneself1838 to feel (like) myself1886 1822 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. July 79 How your brow it up-brightens—You now look yourself, man, and not a la Werter. 1853 C. Dickens Bleak House xxxiv. 334 But what's the matter, George?.. You don't look yourself. 1908 H. Forrester Rupert Brett xxiii. 247 ‘You will take Rupert out for some fresh air and a change. He wants it badly.’ ‘I agree with you, he doesn't look himself.’ 1940 Atlanta Constit. 16 July 6/2 Horace..simply didn't look himself. He was not the rather florid-faced, rotund Horace Renegar I had seen only a few short months before. 2012 M. Perry Danger in Plain Sight ii. 39 Today she looked herself again, wearing jeans and an oversize Penn State sweatshirt. d. to look one's age: to have the appearance of being as old as one really is. ΘΚΠ the world > life > source or principle of life > age > [verb (intransitive)] > look age to look one's age1825 1825 Oxberry's Dramatic Biogr. III. 241 Mrs. Harlowe is about the middle size, and certainly does not look her age. 1891 H. W. Wolff Country of Vosges iv. 72 Plain sandstone shafts, with quite old-fashioned imposts—they unmistakeably look their age. 1921 J. F. Herbin Jen of Marshes vi. 50 Do I look my age, or younger, or older? 1944 A. Thirkell Headmistress ix. 200 A very handsome afternoon dress..but, as the dressmaker said, almost with tears, making moddom look her age. 2002 M. McGrath Silvertown (2003) xix. 190 To say she looks her age—forty-seven—isn't really helpful. e. Chiefly British. to look the sort (also type, kind): to give the appearance of belonging to a particular group or category or of being likely to behave in a certain way.Frequently in negative constructions. ΚΠ 1834 Metrop. Mag. Mar. 334 I doubt whether I altogether look the kind of simple purse-bearing lad that a Rutlandshire squire, with a friend in hell, would select from a seat in the park, for his operations. 1897 J. K. Jerome Sketches in Lavender, Blue, & Green 306 She was a charming, cheerful little woman, but did not look the type that would let him forget all about it. 1945 D. Wheatley Man who missed War vi. 62 Do I look the kind of dumb-cluck who would be wastin' her time joy-ridin' in this boat instead of gettin' her a liner? 1986 Washington Post (Nexis) 30 May (Style section) c1 I didn't capture any [oysters], but they looked the type that would have pearls. 2014 Times Mag. (Nexis) 22 Mar. 71 It didn't look the sort of place where the food would be much good. P3. In various phrases used attributively or as nouns. a. With adverbs. (a) Forming nouns and adjectives corresponding to phrasal verbs, as look-around, look-back, look-forward, look-on. Cf. lookahead n., lookdown n., lookout n., look-over n., lookup n. [In some combinations probably also influenced by look n.] Now more likely to be interpreted as look n. followed by an adverb; cf. look n. 1a. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > enquiry > investigation, inspection > [noun] > instance of inquisitionc1440 investigation1533 sight1592 review1611 percontation1623 evestigation1658 inquirendoa1846 shakedown1914 look-around1967 nosy1990 1597 T. Middleton Wisdome of Solomon Paraphr. xii. sig. P2 Thou ordrest euery thing with looke-on sight. 1850 N. Hawthorne Scarlet Let. Introd. 48 A dreary look-forward this, for a man who [etc.]. 1908 Westm. Gaz. 27 Apr. 9/3 I do not think that a calm look-back over the contest..gives any ground for hopelessness as to the future. 1967 M. McLuhan & Q. Fiore Medium is Massage 10 ‘The Medium is The Massage’ is a look-around to see what's happening. (b) look-on net n. Fishing (now rare) a net pulled up as a test of the condition of others. ΘΚΠ the world > food and drink > hunting > fishing > fishing-tackle > net > [noun] > test net look-on net1874 1874 E. W. H. Holdsworth Deep-sea Fishing ii. 109 Whilst the drift-nets are in the water the warp is occasionally hauled in till the first net is reached; this is called the ‘look on’ net, and by examining it some idea may generally be formed of whether many herrings are about. 1905 Cornhill Mag. Nov. 677 With the clank of the capstan and the snorting of the donkey-engine the swing rope came in, and the look-on net was drawn to the side. look-through n. †(a) a sight on a weapon (obsolete rare); (b) Papermaking the appearance of a sheet of paper when held to the light. ΘΚΠ society > occupation and work > materials > derived or manufactured material > material for making paper > paper > [adjective] > having specific surface or texture look-through1730 antique1826 surfaced1869 fibre-faceda1884 everdamp1888 surface coated1888 boardy1893 shivey1937 1730 N. Bailey et al. Dict. Britannicum Embater, the hole or look-through to take aim with a cross-bow. 1904 Paper Makers' Monthly Jrnl. Dec. 411/2 Two sheets of each kind were examined, all the sheets being of faultless look through and uniform surface. 1989 Designer's Guide to Paper & Board Oct. 46/1 The manner in which fibres are distributed in paper..can be seen when examined with transmitted light (the look-through). 2013 T. Fritz & S. Nekkache in J. A. Siegel et al. Encycl. Forensic Sci. (ed. 2) 383/2 A look-through examination can lead to the observation of a strong security feature, namely the ‘watermark’. b. In other constructions. look and say adj. designating a method of teaching reading by identifying each word as a whole, rather than by associating individual letters with particular sounds; of or relating to this method. ΘΚΠ society > communication > reading > [adjective] > method of teaching reading look and say1842 phonomimic1884 1842 Independent Mag. 13 He teaches according to the ‘look and say’ method explained in the next article. 1964 M. Critchley Developmental Dyslexia iv. 16 Many have blamed the analytic, look-and-say, ‘flash’ or global systems of teaching—whereby the child learns to identify each word as a whole. 2014 Independent on Sunday (Nexis) 5 Oct. 18 Some children will learn more with phonics; some with look-and-say flashcards. † look-like-a-goose n. Obsolete a foolish or stupid person; cf. goose n. 1f. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > lack of understanding > stupid, foolish, or inadequate person > stupid person, dolt, blockhead > [noun] asseOE sotc1000 beastc1225 long-ear?a1300 stock1303 buzzard1377 mis-feelinga1382 dasarta1400 stonea1400 dasiberd14.. dottlec1400 doddypoll1401 dastardc1440 dotterel1440 dullardc1440 wantwit1449 jobardc1475 nollc1475 assheada1500 mulea1500 dull-pate15.. peak1509 dulbert?a1513 doddy-patec1525 noddypolla1529 hammer-head1532 dull-head?1534 capon1542 dolt1543 blockhead1549 cod's head1549 mome1550 grout-head1551 gander1553 skit-brains?1553 blocka1556 calfa1556 tomfool1565 dunce1567 druggard1569 cobble1570 dummel1570 Essex calf1573 jolthead1573 hardhead1576 beetle-head1577 dor-head1577 groutnoll1578 grosshead1580 thickskin1582 noddyship?1589 jobbernowl1592 beetle-brain1593 Dorbel1593 oatmeal-groat1594 loggerhead1595 block-pate1598 cittern-head1598 noddypoop1598 dorbellist1599 numps1599 dor1601 stump1602 ram-head1605 look-like-a-goose1606 ruff1606 clod1607 turf1607 asinego1609 clot-poll1609 doddiea1611 druggle1611 duncecomb1612 ox-head1613 clod-polla1616 dulman1615 jolterhead1620 bullhead1624 dunderwhelpa1625 dunderhead1630 macaroona1631 clod-patea1635 clota1637 dildo1638 clot-pate1640 stupid1640 clod-head1644 stub1644 simpletonian1652 bottle-head1654 Bœotiana1657 vappe1657 lackwit1668 cudden1673 plant-animal1673 dolt-head1679 cabbage head1682 put1688 a piece of wood1691 ouphe1694 dunderpate1697 numbskull1697 leather-head1699 nocky1699 Tom Cony1699 mopus1700 bluff-head1703 clod skull1707 dunny1709 dowf1722 stupe1722 gamphrel1729 gobbin?1746 duncehead1749 half-wit1755 thick-skull1755 jackass1756 woollen-head1756 numbhead1757 beef-head1775 granny1776 stupid-head1792 stunpolla1794 timber-head1794 wether heada1796 dummy1796 noghead1800 staumrel1802 muttonhead1803 num1807 dummkopf1809 tumphya1813 cod's head and shoulders1820 stoopid1823 thick-head1824 gype1825 stob1825 stookiea1828 woodenhead1831 ning-nong1832 log-head1834 fat-head1835 dunderheadism1836 turnip1837 mudhead1838 donkey1840 stupex1843 cabbage1844 morepork1845 lubber-head1847 slowpoke1847 stupiditarian1850 pudding-head1851 cod's head and shoulders1852 putty head1853 moke1855 mullet-head1855 pothead1855 mug1857 thick1857 boodle1862 meathead1863 missing link1863 half-baked1866 lunk1867 turnip-head1869 rummy1872 pumpkin-head1876 tattie1879 chump1883 dully1883 cretin1884 lunkhead1884 mopstick1886 dumbhead1887 peanut head1891 pie-face1891 doughbakea1895 butt-head1896 pinhead1896 cheesehead1900 nyamps1900 box head1902 bonehead1903 chickenhead1903 thickwit1904 cluck1906 boob1907 John1908 mooch1910 nitwit1910 dikkop1913 goop1914 goofus1916 rumdum1916 bone dome1917 moron1917 oik1917 jabroni1919 dumb-bell1920 knob1920 goon1921 dimwit1922 ivory dome1923 stone jug1923 dingleberry1924 gimp1924 bird brain1926 jughead1926 cloth-head1927 dumb1928 gazook1928 mouldwarp1928 ding-dong1929 stupido1929 mook1930 sparrow-brain1930 knobhead1931 dip1932 drip1932 epsilon1932 bohunkus1933 Nimrod1933 dumbass1934 zombie1936 pea-brain1938 knot-head1940 schlump1941 jarhead1942 Joe Soap1943 knuckle-head1944 nong1944 lame-brain1945 gobshite1946 rock-head1947 potato head1948 jerko1949 turkey1951 momo1953 poop-head1955 a right one1958 bam1959 nong-nong1959 dickhead1960 dumbo1960 Herbert1960 lamer1961 bampot1962 dipshit1963 bamstick1965 doofus1965 dick1966 pillock1967 zipperhead1967 dipstick1968 thickie1968 poephol1969 yo-yo1970 doof1971 cockhead1972 nully1973 thicko1976 wazzock1976 motorhead1979 mouth-breather1979 no-brainer1979 jerkwad1980 woodentop1981 dickwad1983 dough ball1983 dickweed1984 bawheid1985 numpty1985 jerkweed1988 dick-sucker1989 knob-end1989 Muppet1989 dingus1997 dicksack1999 eight ball- 1606 T. Heywood 2nd Pt. If you know not Me sig. G2^v Hob. Is there not one Iack Gresha here? Wench No goodman looke like a Goose, but ther's one M. Iohn Gresham. 1624 R. Montagu Gagg for New Gospell? xliii. 300 He hath the figure of a man as Will Summer had, though he be indeed as very a Look-like-agoose as he was. Phrasal verbs PV1. With adverbs in specialized senses. to look about 1. intransitive. To direct one's sight in various directions in succession; to survey one's surroundings; to look here and there, let one's eyes wander. Occasionally: to do this while walking or moving around a place, in order to view or explore interesting features. Formerly also: †to be vigilant, to be on the lookout (obsolete). Cf. to look about one at Phrasal verbs 2. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (intransitive)] > look around to look abouta1200 to look round?1505 to look around1600 skim1817 rubber1896 the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > vigilance > be vigilant or on one's guard [verb (intransitive)] watcha1225 warea1325 bewarea1400 keepc1400 waitc1400 lay good waitc1440 to lie in great waitc1440 to look out?1553 to look about1599 awake1602 advigilate1623 to keep an eye open1651 perdue1656 to look sharp1680 waken1682 tout1699 to keep a sharp look-out1827 to keep one's weather-eye open1829 to keep (also have) an eye out1833 to keep one's eyes peeled1844 to watch out1845 to skin one's eyes1851 to have (also keep) one's eye on the ball1937 to watch one's back1949 a1200 MS Trin. Cambr. in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1873) 2nd Ser. 173 (MED) Þo wreches..lokeð up and dun and al abuten, and sen buuen hem godes wraððe. c1300 (?c1225) King Horn (Laud) (1901) l. 1122 He loked al aboute [Cambr. lokede him abute, a1350 Harl. lokede aboute] Mid hys kelwe snowte. c1330 Otuel (Auch.) (1882) l. 1048 (MED) He lokede a-bouten in eche side. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 11744 As þei to gider talkyng were þei loked aboute fer & nere. 1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) xix. 669 The fox..Lukit about sum hoill to se. 1490 W. Caxton tr. Foure Sonnes of Aymon (1885) xx. 445 And whan rowlande was come out of the cave, he loked about for to know where they were. c1500 (?a1475) Assembly of Gods (1896) l. 347 She loked euer about as though she had be mad. 1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 613/2 I loke aboute, as one dothe that taketh the vewe of a place or contray. 1599 W. Shakespeare Romeo & Juliet iii. v. 40 The day is broke, be wary, looke about . View more context for this quotation a1616 W. Shakespeare Tempest (1623) i. ii. l. 480 What is't a Spirit? Lord, how it lookes about . View more context for this quotation 1720 D. Defoe Mem. Cavalier 164 'Twas time to look about. 1801 W. Beattie Fruits Time Parings 40 He'll gang forth and look about, An' raise the lads, ye needno' dout, To yoke them to the flail. 1881 Daily Tel. 5 July 2/1 These crank and nimble spinners [i.e. racing yachts] give you no chance of looking about. 1904 Oakland (Calif.) Tribune 22 Nov. 9/4 Billy Lavigne, the Seattle boxing promoter, who manages the affairs of Tommy Burns, went to Portland over a week ago to look about. 1958 L. Uris Exodus i. i. 9 The taxi pulled to a stop. The bellboy gathered in Mark's luggage. Mark paid off his driver and looked about. 2004 D. Peace GB 84 452/2 I look about and see Big Chris with his handkerchief out. 2. intransitive. With for, †after. To look in various directions or places in search of; to be in search of. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > endeavour > searching or seeking > search for or seek [verb (transitive)] > search about for to search out?a1400 to look about1536 to feel after ——?1557 study1561 to feel for ——1569 to look out for1578 to lay out1624 to look round1630 to lay about1755 prospect1854 roust1870 to look around1927 1536 tr. G. Gnapheus Myrrour for Syke sig. kii^v I loke aboute for the flesshe pottes of Egypte, wherupon I was wont to sytte. 1566 W. Adlington tr. Apuleius .XI. Bks. Golden Asse xxx. f. 75^v The Shepherdes (looking about for a cowe that they had lost). 1613 T. Potts Wonderfull Discov. Witches sig. Y2^v Looke about for her, and lay hold on her, for shee is in the house. 1678 T. Smith Remarks Manners of Turks 186 He..looks about for water. 1704 J. Norris Ess. Ideal World II. x. 395 Like the Man who..looks about after the Candle which he has all the while on his own Head. 1750 Student 1 No. 9. 323 The fidler..soon after enter'd..and then every man look'd about for his partner. 1840 Merchants' Mag. Oct. 306 Men begin to look about for the causes of a change which produces so disastrous an influence upon their fortunes. 1866 ‘G. Eliot’ Let. 10 Aug. (1956) IV. 298 We looked about for the very Portuguese Synagogue where Spinoza was nearly assassinated. 1921 Boys' Life Aug. 31/3 Looking about for something to rekindle his pipe. 1951 H. Wouk Caine Mutiny (1952) v. xxx. 362 His heart was that of a frightened rabbit, looking about for succor with wide shining eyes. 2002 A. Haslett You are not Stranger Here? (2003) 150 They wandered into the barn looking about for something to do. † to look again Obsolete. intransitive. To turn and look behind one, or in the direction from which one has travelled; = to look back 2 at Phrasal verbs 1. Also figurative. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (intransitive)] > look back to look againwardc1225 to look backwardc1405 to look backwardsc1429 to look again?c1430 to look back1533 ?c1430 (c1400) Rule St. Francis (Corpus Cambr.) in F. D. Matthew Eng. Wks. Wyclif (1880) 41 (MED) No man sendynge his hond to þe plowȝ and lokenge a-ȝen is able to þe kyngdom of god. c1475 (?c1400) Apol. Lollard Doctr. (1842) 105 (MED) Þe wif of Loth..loking aȝen, was turnid in to an image of salt. † to look againward Obsolete. intransitive. = to look again at Phrasal verbs 1. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (intransitive)] > look back to look againwardc1225 to look backwardc1405 to look backwardsc1429 to look again?c1430 to look back1533 c1225 (?c1200) St. Katherine (Royal) (1981) 1073 Heo as me ledde hire lokede aȝeinward for þe ludinge þet ha iherde. a1400 (?a1325) Medit. on Supper of our Lord (Harl.) (1875) 1046 (MED) Oftyn aȝenward marye gan loke. to look ahead 1. intransitive. To look in front of one, or in the direction to which one is travelling. Frequently with preposition of direction (e.g. at, to) and the specified object of one's gaze. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (intransitive)] > look in specific direction to look toward ——c1225 to look towards ——1534 respect1555 to look ahead1805 1805 P. Gass Jrnl. 5 Oct. (1807) 145 We had four large ones [sc. canoes]; and one small one, to look ahead. 1869 R. D. Blackmore Lorna Doone II. iii. 38 He..looked ahead of him, from behind a tump of whortles. 1902 J. Conrad Heart of Darkness iii, in Youth 167 The long reaches that were like one and the same reach..slipped past the steamer... I looked ahead—piloting. 1985 G. C. Gill tr. L. Irigaray Speculum Other Woman 245 Paralyzed.., they are condemned to look ahead at the wall opposite. 2008 W. Berry in L. Merrill Pedestrian Photographs 8/2 They could almost be performing an allemande in a square dance, looking ahead in opposite directions to their next partners. 2. intransitive. To anticipate, consider, or plan for the future. Frequently with preposition (chiefly to): to await, consider or plan for a particular future event. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > thought > continued thinking, reflection, contemplation > thinking about, consideration, deliberation > think about, consider [verb (intransitive)] > beforehand precogitate1569 forethink1587 preponderate1599 to look ahead1820 1820 Daily National Intelligencer (Washington) 25 May That ambition must be short-sighted, indeed, which did not look ahead beyond two, or even six, years. 1895 H. Garland Rose of Dutcher's Coolly (1896) xxi. 315 You've got to look ahead to the time when she regrets the lack of husband and children. 1914 Observer 16 Aug. 4/2 If he is setting to work..to create a greater ‘New Model’..it is because he looks ahead. 1941 Bull. Amer. Assoc. Petroleum Geologists 25 1256 Past successes enable us now to look ahead to a difficult but orderly exploration program. 1988 Weekly World News 26 Jan. 44/1 This may be the week to look ahead and set goals for the new year. 2011 N.Y. Rev. Bks. 13 Jan. 64/3 Schuster and Finkelstein..seem to be looking ahead to what is essentially a post-tenure academic world dominated by the contingent academic workforce. to look around Cf. to look round at Phrasal verbs 1. 1. intransitive. To look around oneself in various directions; to survey one's surroundings; to do this while walking or moving around a place, in order to view or explore interesting features. Also: to turn one's head in order to look in another direction. Also figurative. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (intransitive)] > look around to look abouta1200 to look round?1505 to look around1600 skim1817 rubber1896 the mind > mental capacity > thought > continued thinking, reflection, contemplation > thinking about, consideration, deliberation > think about, consider [verb (intransitive)] > comprehensively to look around1847 1600 E. Fairfax tr. T. Tasso Godfrey of Bulloigne xx. lxxxvii. 380 He lookt around [It. drizza gli occhi] to spie,..The man, whose stroake had laid him in that place. 1697 J. Tutchin Search after Honesty 8 He looks around, and stands amaz'd to see The Costly Splendid Luxury of the Sea. 1754 A. Murphy Gray's Inn Jrnl. No. 93 He looked around, and saw a reverend Form advance towards him. 1791 A. Radcliffe Romance of Forest I. v. 183 Louis looked around in search of La Motte. 1847 L. H. Kerr tr. L. von Ranke Hist. Servia 239 When the Servians now looked around, they congratulated themselves on having made a successful campaign. 1880 N. Smyth Old Faiths in New Light (1882) ii. 32 We look around sceptical of our own impressions. 1911 Secret Service 10 Mar. 25/1 Alice was looking around, but the red curtain hid the secret panel. 1964 L. B. Honwana in R. Rive Mod. Afr. Prose 103 Chewing slowly, she looked around, and from time to time, with a careless gesture, she shooed away the fowls who came close to her hoping for crumbs. 2008 M. J. Varhola Ghosthunting Virginia xxvii. 221 Our waitress..appeared while we were looking around. 2. intransitive. To seek or search (for something); to examine or consider a situation with a view to taking some action, deciding on a course, etc.; to explore all possibilities. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > enquiry > investigation, inspection > close examination, scrutiny > examine closely [verb (intransitive)] > explore all possibilities to look round1630 to look around1737 the world > action or operation > endeavour > searching or seeking > search for or seek [verb (transitive)] > search about for to search out?a1400 to look about1536 to feel after ——?1557 study1561 to feel for ——1569 to look out for1578 to lay out1624 to look round1630 to lay about1755 prospect1854 roust1870 to look around1927 1737 R. Glover Leonidas i. 10 The mind, which knows..That wanting liberty ev'n virtue mourns, And looks around for happiness in vain. 1791 Lady's Mag. Dec. 629/2 The young adventurer looking around for a way into the vale. 1814 W. Scott Waverley I. xviii. 264 Waverley looked around for Evan Dhu and his attendants, who, he rightly judged, would be at no great distance. 1883 ‘M. Twain’ Life on Mississippi xliii. 437 I'll look around a little, and if I find I can't do better I'll come back and take it. 1927 H. Crane Let. 14 Mar. (1965) 290 I'm looking around for some sort of ‘avocation’. 1974 ‘M. Innes’ Appleby's Other Story x. 81 Upper servants are frequently left in residence as caretakers... If it happens at Elvedon, it will give you time to look around. 2005 T. Umrigar Space between Us (2007) xii. 134 She looks around for a food vendor. to look aside intransitive. To look obliquely or to the side; to direct one's gaze away from something. Hence occasionally: to overlook or ignore something deliberately. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (intransitive)] > look sideways schule?c1225 to look asidec1230 bagge1369 gogglec1380 to look awryc1400 slizec1400 leer1530 to look askew1538 skew1570 gloat1576 to glance one's eye, look1590 squean1608 squinny1608 squint1610 sken1611 sleer1680 glime1684 skime1691 side-glance1799 the mind > attention and judgement > inattention > ignoring, disregard > ignore [verb (intransitive)] overhipa1325 to hide one's facea1382 to look aside1530 to look beside ——1533 not to hear on that side1548 to look through the fingers1549 to pull away the shoulder1560 connive1602 to turn a (also the) blind eye1698 to bury (or hide) one's head in the sand1844 Nelson eye1893 not to want to know1948 c1230 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Corpus Cambr.) (1962) 102 Þe ealleofte hwelp is ifed wið supersticiuns..as..crenge wið swire, lokin o siden, bihalden on hokere. a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) II. xviii. xlvi. 1197 Þe kyde haþ ful scharp sight and symple lokynge and lokeþ asyde. And knoweþ and secheþ his moder wiþ bletynge. a1450 Partonope of Blois (Univ. Coll. Oxf.) (1912) l. 7094 (MED) He loked a-syde and dyd aspye Where stode an holow for-growen tre. 1508 W. Dunbar Goldyn Targe (Chepman & Myllar) in Poems (1998) I. 191 On syde scho lukit wyth ane fremyt fare. 1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 613/2 I loke asyde by chaunce, or caste myn eye asyde. 1596 W. Raleigh Let. 21 June (1999) 148 I retorned the blur of a trumpett and no more, never looking aside to these esteemed dreadfull beastes. 1628 G. Wither Britain's Remembrancer iii. f. 94 Scorne to looke aside, who looks thereon. 1672 J. Dryden Conquest Granada i. iv. ii. 51 Fear makes men look aside, and then their footing miss. 1720 J. Leigh Kensington-Gardens i. 14 Every moment to make your Observations on me, if I but look aside, for you to wink, and raise the Fellow's vanity, by imagining I love him. 1768 A. Young Six Weeks Tour Southern Counties vi. 138 You look aside through the opening, onto a landscape which seems formed by the happiest hand of design. 1848 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. Feb. 250/2 ‘I cannot—I will not deceive you, Adam,’ replied Mr Hylton, looking aside, and with a profound sigh. 1935 M. R. Anand Untouchable 55 Then he looked aside and seeing two white-clad, delicate young boys, greeted them by raising his right hand to his forehead. 1987 R. Hall Kisses of Enemy (1990) ii. xl. 230 He knew what it was to look aside at the critical moment and appear not to notice who nudged whom, not to hear insulting remarks. 2010 B. Cleverly Darker God xix. 172 She..smiled up admiringly into the inspector's face. He looked aside and fiddled with his coffee cup. to look away 1. intransitive. To direct one's gaze away from someone or something; to avert one's eyes, esp. so as to overlook or ignore something deliberately (also figurative). Cf. to look the other way at Phrases 1b(j). ΚΠ a1225 (c1200) Vices & Virtues (1888) 47 (MED) Ac me þincþ ðat tu lokest aweiward & heuiliche latst.] c1540 (?a1400) Gest Historiale Destr. Troy (2002) f. 133 Achilles..Woundit hym wickedly as he away loked. 1590 C. Marlowe Tamburlaine: 2nd Pt. sig. K7^v The vglie monster death..Who flies away at euery glance I giue, And when I look away, comes stealing on. a1616 J. Smith Substance & Pith Prayer 139 in Essex Dove (1629) When he [sc. Peter] lookt away from Christ..by and by he began to sinke. 1673 W. Wycherley Gentleman Dancing-master ii. i. 24 Why do you look away, dearest Miss? 1782 F. Burney Cecilia IV. vii. iii. 37 ‘Oh go!’ cried Cecilia, looking away from him while she spoke. 1844 E. B. Barrett Drama of Exile in Poems I. 27 I..look away from Earth which doth convict me. 1872 C. D. Warner Saunterings 203 If I looked away an instant, some urchin would seize my horse's bridle. 1908 E. M. Forster Room with View xii. 202 ‘Gracious alive!’ cried Mrs. Honeychurch. ‘Whoever were those unfortunate people? Oh, dears, look away!’ 1966 E. Amadi Concubine xxiii. 204 Wakiri looked away when he saw tears running down his friend's cheeks. 1986 W. E. B. Griffin Generals 256 Their eyes met. She fought the temptation to look away. 2014 Sydney Morning Herald (Nexis) 26 July (News Review section) 42 The killing and the dying goes on... And the rest of the world, not caring, looks away. 2. transitive. poetic. To spend or wear (something) out in gazing; to remove or forget with a look or a period of looking (cf. away adv. 3). Now rare. ΚΠ 1659 W. Montagu Shepheard's Paradise v. 153 If I durst so soon believe my eyes, they had already looked away my pretence, but they are too partial to me to believe so soon. 1680 T. Otway Hist. Caius Marius ii. 21 I could hang for ever on thy Arms, And look away my life into thy Eyes. 1744 Norfolk Poet. Misc. I. 134 I'll gaze on thy Beauty—and look away Care. 1780 T. Chatterton Resignation in H. Croft Love & Madness 158 Omniscience could the danger see, And mercy look the cause away. 1831 Olio 10 Dec. 361/2 Those eyes which look away all human ill. 1865 A. B. Edwards Ballads 50 Pour my passion forth in sighs, And look my life away. 1955 E. Bishop Poems: North & South 65 Why couldn't we have seen this old Nativity..and looked and looked our infant sight away. to look back 1. a. intransitive. To call to mind or recollect a past event; to reflect upon the past. Frequently with preposition of direction, esp. on. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > memory > retrospection, reminiscence > look back, retrospect [verb (intransitive)] to look backward?c1450 to look back1529 to look backwards1598 recoila1616 retrospect1664 run1692 revert1820 reverie1832 to think back (on or to)1901 to job backwards1907 1529 T. More Dyaloge Dyuers Maters i. xxvi. f. xxxviii/2 Whan I loke bak agayne vppon holy scrypture, and consyder that yt ys goddys owne wordys. a1556 Ld. Vaux in R. Edwards Paradyse Daynty Deuises (1576) 11 When I looke backe, and in my selfe beholde, The wandring wayes, that youth could not descry. a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry V (1623) i. ii. 102 Gracious Lord..Looke back into your mightie Ancestors. View more context for this quotation 1649 R. Baxter Saints Everlasting Rest (new ed.) iv. v. 674 Is it not a very little time when thou lookest back on it? 1711 R. Steele Spectator No. 100. ⁋1 A Man advanced in Years that thinks fit to look back upon his former Life. 1794 A. Radcliffe Myst. of Udolpho IV. vi. 111 In future years, you will look back to this night with satisfaction or repentance. 1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. vii. 200 He would have looked back with remorse on a literary life of near thirty years. 1862 Southern Lit. Messenger Jan. 52/1 Looking back, I wonder how I bore it. 1892 Eng. Illustr. Mag. 9 331 One portion of my life is not pleasant to look back to. 1911 Amer. Mag. Mar. 592/2 He looked back at his life in this little town. 1921 Game Breeder Dec. 70/2 If one looks back twenty-five or thirty years the change in sentiment towards nature..is really extraordinary. 1955 V. Nabokov Let. 24 Nov. in Sel. Lett. (1989) 180 I look back at our cloudless association and it is painful to think that it will be different from now on. 2013 B. Bonner Paging Dead xx. 254 Looking back on it now, I should have known better. †b. transitive. With interrogative clause as object. To call to mind, recollect. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > memory > retrospection, reminiscence > look back on [verb (transitive)] refera1398 to look back1579 review1597 retrospect1664 retrace1686 to take back1796 reverie1961 1579 T. North tr. Plutarch Liues 69 The daungers & perills of this kingdom which they offer me, are not altogether vncertain, if we wil looke backe [Fr. considerer] what happened vnto Romulus. a1616 W. Shakespeare Antony & Cleopatra (1623) iii. xi. 53 See How I conuey my shame, out of thine eyes, By looking backe what I haue left behinde Stroy'd in dishonor. View more context for this quotation 1700 J. M. tr. Dionysius Cato his Four Bks. Moral Precepts ii. 10 Look back what follows, and withal Forseee [sic] what stands in place. 1779 R. Hamilton Introd. Merchandize II. iv. ii. 64 When we receive payment of a bill, we must recollect or look back how it was entered when granted. 2. intransitive. To turn and look behind one, or in the direction from which one has travelled. Also with at, to, etc. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (intransitive)] > look back to look againwardc1225 to look backwardc1405 to look backwardsc1429 to look again?c1430 to look back1533 1533 tr. Erasmus Enchiridion Militis Christiani x. sig. f.vi Sodoma must be forsaken vtterly hastely yea & at ones: it is not lawfull to loke backe [L. respicere]. a1586 Sir P. Sidney Arcadia (1590) i. i. sig. B2 At yonder rising of the ground she turned her selfe, looking backe toward her woonted abode. 1597 Bp. J. King Lect. Ionas xxvi. 350 This was the difference betweene Iudas and Ionas. Iudas wente out, and never looked backe more. 1631 W. Lisle Faire Æthiopian i. 21 Still looking backe at her Theagenes. 1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost xii. 641 They looking back, all th' Eastern side beheld Of Paradise, so late thir happie seat. View more context for this quotation 1714 A. Pope Rape of Lock (new ed.) iii. 27 Thrice she look'd back, and thrice the Foe drew near. 1797 A. Radcliffe Italian II. i. 44 Often they looked back to the convent, expecting to see lights issue from the avenue. 1841 Sporting Rev. Aug. 117 The same dog..amused himself as he ran.., stopping frequently, as if pointing at game, roading it up, looking back to his master, [etc.]. 1889 ‘M. Twain’ Connecticut Yankee xxvii. 261 They..turned in their saddles and looked back. 1939 C. Beaton Diary July in Self Portrait with Friends (1979) ix. 71 We looked back to the Palace, where tired and baffled officials clustered by the door. a1979 B. D'J. Pancake Trilobites (1992) 104 As he crested the first knoll, he looked back to the hollow, where he knew Trudy was still sleeping. 2003 D. Bowler & D. Reynolds Ron Reynolds i. 5 All the players started tearing off down the other end of the field, but I looked back and saw the old man was really struggling. 3. intransitive. With to, †unto. To rely on a person for something. Cf. to look to —— 3a at Phrasal verbs 2, to look unto —— at Phrasal verbs 2. rare after 17th cent. [Perhaps after classical Latin respicere.] Only in religious contexts. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > expectation > hope > confident hope, trust > trust in, rely on [verb (transitive)] to set one's heart on (also (in)c825 littenc1175 leanc1230 fie1340 trusta1382 resta1393 reappose1567 repose1567 lite1570 rely1574 to set (up) one's rest1579 rely1606 to look back1646 recumba1677 to pin one's faith (also hope, etc.) on (also to) a person's sleeve1791 to look to ——1807 bank1884 1646 P. Bulkley Gospel-covenant i. 52 The whole creation lookes backe unto him that made it for preservation in their being. a1684 R. Leighton Pract. Comm. 1st Epist. Peter (1693) I. 165 A Believer may look back to the other [sc. God] for comfort, that abuses it not to a sinfull security. 1953 D.T. Rowlingson in J. R. Spann Church & Social Responsibility ii. 36 We look back to him [sc. Christ] for guidance and dynamic, but we live and work in the present. 4. intransitive. to look back to: to evoke or draw inspiration from (something in the past); to pay homage to or appropriate elements of (a style, genre, etc.). ΘΚΠ the mind > possession > taking > taking possession > take possession of [verb (transitive)] > appropriate ownOE rimec1275 takec1300 appropre1366 to keep, take to or for one's own storec1385 to get awayc1480 proper1496 apprehenda1522 impropry1526 impropriate1567 carve1578 forestall1581 appropriate1583 propriate1587 pocket1597 impatronize1611 propertya1616 asself1632 appropriatea1634 swallow1637 to swallow up1654 sink1699 poucha1774 spheterize1779 sack1807 fob1818 to look back to1822 mop1861 annex1865 1822 D. Stewart Sketches Highlanders Scotl. II. App. p. xc Were it not for these national bodies of men in distinct corps, Scotland must look back to the days of Wallace, Bruce.., and the campaigns of Montrose, for its military character. 1868 R. W. Church Civilization & Relig. 20 In some of its leading and most powerful representatives, [civilization] looks back to paganism. 1943 E. L. Mascall He who Is x. 135 The ‘sophiology’, or teaching concerning the Divine Wisdom.., looks back to the fourteenth-century mystic of Mount Athos, St Gregory Palamas. 1983 Washington Post (Nexis) 16 Oct. 4 Virgil looks back to Homer and thereby constructs a new poem, one that frequently means more than any mere imitation could invoke, out of an acknowledged predecession. 2013 Daily Tel. 28 June 35/3 No surprise that..the New Look that made his [sc. Christian Dior's] name, with its cinched waists and long, full romantic skirts, looks back to the Belle Epoque. 5. intransitive. colloquial. never (also not) to look back: to continue in one's course, esp. to enjoy uninterrupted progress or success, following some significant incident, decision, etc. Cf. never (also not) to look behind one at Phrases 1a(f). ΚΠ 1846 J. M. Gully Water Cure in Chronic Dis. ii. i. 182 She has never ‘looked back’, but has gone on from good to better. 1893 Daily News 5 Jan. 3/6 Since that day St. Simon has never, to use a slang phrase of the day, ‘looked back.’ 1928 Observer 17 June 27/4 Since they adopted the bold experiment..of changing the date of their regatta..Marlow Amateur Regatta has never looked back. 1949 Radio Times 15 July 17/1 Jules Verne..wrote Five Weeks in a Balloon, scored an immediate success, and never looked back. 1970 Motor Boating Sept. 71 (advt.) If you've owned other outboards, sample the new Mercs. You'll never look back. 1998 Today's Golfer 10th Anniv. Special 20/2 Super Mex hasn't looked back since stepping onto the US Senior PGA Tour stage in 1990. 2006 H. O'Neill Lullabies for Little Criminals 173 I left home at fifteen, I never looked back. to look backward 1. intransitive. To turn and look behind one, or in the direction from which one has travelled; = to look back 2 at Phrasal verbs 1. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (intransitive)] > look back to look againwardc1225 to look backwardc1405 to look backwardsc1429 to look again?c1430 to look back1533 c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer Man of Law's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 764 She looketh bakward to the londe. 1491 Mirk's Festialis (Caxton) sig. i. vii^v The kynge that is in the myddell for grete ioye of the sterre he loked bacwarde to his felowe behynde hym and with his finger shewed him the sterre. 1539 R. Morison tr. Frontinus Strategemes & Policies Warre ii. v. sig. Gii Whan Xanthus..loked backeward, Melanthus stept in, and slewe hym at one stroke. 1639 T. Fuller Hist. Holy Warre Ep. Ded. sig. 3^v To have such a crick in his neck that he cannot look backward. 1777 C. Reeve Champion of Virtue* 39 Looking backward he saw his friend.., and hallowed to him. 1831 J. F. Cooper Bravo II. vi. 185 The little interruption caused Don Camillo to look backward. 1857 Harper's Mag. Dec. 5 As the maiden through the alleys, looking backward as she flies, woos the fond pursuer onward with the love-light in her eyes. 1907 J. London in Everybody's Mag. Jan. 109/1 Over these [hills] we climbed, looking backward at the forest, which had become a sea of flame. 1986 H. Wixom Elk & Elk Hunting xi. 158/1 Of particular worth is memorizing the scene as you will see it on your return—turn around and look backward. 2014 N.Y. Times (Nexis) 25 June b12 After looking backward at the modest gap they had gained from the key group of riders, Nibali swiftly rode past Horner. 2. intransitive. To call to mind or recollect a past event; to reflect upon the past; = to look back 1a at Phrasal verbs 1. Also: to evoke, pay homage to, or draw inspiration from something in the past; cf. to look back to at Phrasal verbs 1. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > memory > retrospection, reminiscence > look back, retrospect [verb (intransitive)] to look backward?c1450 to look back1529 to look backwards1598 recoila1616 retrospect1664 run1692 revert1820 reverie1832 to think back (on or to)1901 to job backwards1907 ?c1450 tr. Bk. Knight of La Tour Landry (1906) 71 (MED) They that be confession are clensed and repented..shulde not loke bakwarde ayenne to do synne. a1576 Bp. J. Pilkington Godlie Expos. Nehemiah (1585) 406 Let us..not look backward but go on forth. 1627 G. Hakewill Apologie i. ii. 21 Let not then the vaine shadowes of the Worlds fatall decay keepe vse ither from looking backward to the imitation of our noble Predecessors, or forward in providing for posterity. 1678 R. L'Estrange tr. Of Happy Life xix. 249 in Seneca's Morals Abstracted (1679) The Passage of Time is wonderfully quick, and a Man must look Backward to see it. 1728 E. Young Love of Fame i, in Wks. (1757) I. 84 Men should press forward in fame's glorious chace; Nobles look backward, and so lose the race. 1790 E. Burke Refl. Revol. in France 48 People will not look forward to posterity, who never look backward to their ancestors. View more context for this quotation 1825 London Mag. Dec. 437 I look backward, and still I look backward, and I attempt to recollect what I have been doing—how those years passed. 1852 N. Hawthorne Blithedale Romance ix. 91 My past life has been a tiresome one enough; yet I would rather look backward ten times than forward once. 1900 H. L. Keeler Our Native Trees 48 Spindle-tree is a name brought over seas and looks backward to a time when spinning and weaving were done at home. 1977 Chicago Tribune Mag. 2 Oct. 49/1 Those of us who have attained ‘three score years and ten’ more often now look backward with nostalgia, remembering the years when we were younger. 2012 Salina (Kansas) Jrnl. 12 Dec. 7/4 The real problem with capital punishment is that it looks backward rather than forward. to look backwards 1. intransitive= to look backward 1 at Phrasal verbs 1. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (intransitive)] > look back to look againwardc1225 to look backwardc1405 to look backwardsc1429 to look again?c1430 to look back1533 c1429 Mirour Mans Saluacioune (1986) l. 3397 Loths wif, loking bakwards, was turnyd til a stone salyne. 1574 J. Whitgift Def. Aunswere to Admon. iv. 161 You are lyke to those that row in a boate, which although they looke backewardes, yet they thruste an other way. 1634 T. Herbert Relation Some Yeares Trauaile 147 They..when past the marke, with an other ready Arrow, can strike the rest looking backwards. 1736 E. Albin Nat. Hist. Spiders 60 It had..two other [eyes] about the middle of the top of its back or head, which look backwards and side-wards. 1865 Temple Bar Sept. 242 Before plunging into the beech-wood I look backwards, and see royal Windsor stately in the sunlight. a1933 J. A. Thomson Biol. for Everyman (1934) II. 1298 When we rotate our head, looking backwards, to one side, we are moving the atlas on the second neck vertebra or axis. 1987 M. Collins Angel ii. 21 He looked backwards. Regal, and a man from Dunfermline, standing with right hands resting on thick sticks taken from the gliricida trees. 2014 N.Z. Herald (Nexis) 9 Apr. [The boy] was running backwards, or running forwards and looking backwards as the bus drove around the corner. 2. intransitive= to look backward 2 at Phrasal verbs 1. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > memory > retrospection, reminiscence > look back, retrospect [verb (intransitive)] to look backward?c1450 to look back1529 to look backwards1598 recoila1616 retrospect1664 run1692 revert1820 reverie1832 to think back (on or to)1901 to job backwards1907 1598 F. Meres tr. Luis de Granada Spirituall & Heauenlie Exercises vi. 151 Looking backwardes, it [sc. the soul] shall see all her life time, as the tract and step of one pace. 1648 C. Walker Relations & Observ. ii. 140 This Law..looks backwards to Acts past. 1744 W. Havard Regulus iii. iii. 35 Look backwards to Dentatus' great Example. 1828 T. Arnold in A. P. Stanley Life & Corr. T. Arnold (1844) I. ii. 88 It boots not to look backwards. 1858 E. J. Worboise Kingsdown Lodge xxxii. 429 She looked backwards, and saw herself a happy child, a happy girl, and a happy woman. 1910 J. Matthews Hist. Newport i. 25 To think anciently, one must obliterate the word [sc. Newport] from the mind, and look backwards into the far-off past. 1976 Early Music 4 274 Cavalli's final work, the Requiem, looks backwards also, but its use of the stile antico is not quite so remote as that in the psalms. 2004 Daily Tel. 1 Mar. 17/1 Milan Fashion Week logged on to the same vibe: moving fashion forward by looking backwards was the name of the game. to look down 1. intransitive. a. To direct one's gaze downward; (also) to lower one's eyes or face. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (intransitive)] > look down to look downa1200 to look downward?a1425 to look downwards1550 to look under1622 OE tr. Vision of St. Paul 69 And se ængel..him to cwæð, loca of dune, and Paulus ða locode on yorðan.] a1200 MS Trin. Cambr. in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1873) 2nd Ser. 173 Ðanne stondeð þo wreches..and lokeð up and dun and al abuten. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 21320 (MED) Luk as ox euer lokeþ doun. c1480 (a1400) St. Vincent 326 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) II. 268 Keparis of þe presone, þat thru smal holis lokit done. 1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) v. l. 146 Vpon Fawdoun as he was lukand doun. 1562 Bp. J. Pilkington Expos. Abdyas Pref. 3 Hee that sittes on hygh looked doune to the lowe dungeon of the pryson, and raised Ioseph to be ruler. a1616 W. Shakespeare Tempest (1623) v. i. 204 Looke downe you gods And on this couple drop a blessed crowne. View more context for this quotation 1700 R. Blackmore Paraphr. Job ix. 33 He from the Hills of Time looks down, to see The boundless Vale of dark Futurity. 1726 J. Swift Gulliver I. ii. viii. 164 I looked down upon the Servants..as if they had been Pigmies, and I a Giant. 1800 T. Barry Narr. Singular Adventures & Captivity 48 She..looked down on her son with a languid smile. 1871 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest (1876) IV. xviii. 212 Thus is formed the promontory of Lincoln looking down upon the river to the South of it. 1928 A. Huxley Point Counter Point xxxiii. 542 They stood looking down at the body. 1957 ‘R. West’ Fountain Overflows i. 26 We lay on the ledge in silence, looking down on the plain. 2011 Independent 30 May (Viewspaper section) 17/3 Only then I look down and notice that my legs need waxing. †b. Scottish. To appear downcast or mournful. Obsolete. ΚΠ a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 196 It is no glaid collatioun, Quhair ane makis myrrie, ane vther lukis doun. 1567 in R. Pitcairn Criminal Trials Scotl. (1833) I. ii. 512 The said Erle standing at the barr, luiking doun and sad lyke. a1586 in W. A. Craigie Maitland Folio MS (1919) I. lxxx. 245 Scho luikis doun oft ay lyk ane sow And will nocht speik quhen I cum in. c. Originally Scottish. to look down on (also upon): to regard with scorn or contempt; to consider oneself superior to. Cf. to look down one's nose (at) at nose n. Phrases 1c(b). ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > hold in contempt [verb (transitive)] forhowc900 overhowOE withhuheOE forhecchec1230 scorna1275 despise1297 spise13.. to set at a pease, at a pie's heel, at a pin's fee1303 to hold, have scorn at, ofc1320 to think scorn ofc1320 to set short by1377 to tell short of1377 to set naught or nought (nothing, not anything) by1390 spitea1400 contemnc1425 nought1440 overlooka1450 mainprizec1450 lightly1451 vilipendc1470 indeign1483 misprize1483 dain?1518 to look down on (also upon)1539 floccipend1548 contempta1555 to take scorn ata1566 embase1577 sdeign1590 disesteem1594 vilify1599 to set lightly, coldly1604 disrepute1611 to hold cheapa1616 avile1616 floccify1623 meprize1633 to think (also believe, etc.) meanly of1642 publican1648 naucify1653 disesteem1659 invalue1673 to set light, at light1718 sneeze1806 sniff1837 derry1896 to hold no brief for1918 1539 in Protocol Bk. Sir J. Cristisone (1928) 66 Ȝe have lukit dovne one me..throcht certane vourdis of displessour I spak of ȝow at this kirk. a1600 R. Lindsay Hist. & Cron. Scotl. (1899) I. 290 All wther secreittis and inventiouns that he could inwent contrair lord Home and his brother to cause the Duike of Albanie looke doune on them. 1656 A. Stafford President Female Perfection 99 We commonly looke downe on things despicable. 1673 W. Allen Disc. Nature Two Covenants v. 120 The unbelieving Jews..looked down upon them with contempt. 1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 255. ¶9 A solid and substantial Greatness of Soul looks down with a generous Neglect on the Censures and Applauses of the Multitude. 1785 E. Sheridan Let. in Betsy Sheridan's Jrnl. (1986) i. 44 Where people are sufficiently raised to have their minds polish'd though not enough to look down on a person. 1853 H. D. Mackenzie Life in Mission, Camp, & Zenáná II. iii. 84 The parents now complain that their sons look down on them for being so ignorant. 1893 Chambers's Jrnl. 29 July 476/1 They are..looked down upon and scorned. 1915 T. L. Golden Let. 30 May in Lett. from Front (Canadian Bank of Commerce) (1920) I. 19 Ready to look down upon the Britisher as a good-for-nothing lady-like cissy. 1960 Spectator 24 June 931/3 The French have always looked down on Italian wines. 2009 N.Y. Times Mag. 8 Feb. 44 A tipsy Nixon phones Frost to rage at the people who have looked down on him all his life. 2. transitive. To look fixedly at someone until he or she feels forced to look away. Cf. to stare down at stare v. Phrasal verbs. ΘΚΠ society > authority > subjection > subjecting or subjugation > subject [verb (transitive)] > suppress, repress, or put down > by looks to look down1639 outfrown1807 1639 T. Bancroft Two Bks. Epigrammes & Epit. i. sig. C My unpierced Muse, whose lofty rime Shall (Diall-like) stand in the face of time, And looke it downe. 1791 Gentleman's Mag. Apr. 357/2 Thurlow, forbear thy awful frown; I beg you may not look me down. 1837 Knickerbocker 9 361 We're a free trader..and are forced to go well armed, to look down all resistance. 1847 C. G. F. Gore Castles in Air III. xxx. 285 Having no importunate witness present..to look me down while I was bragging. 1918 Country Gentleman 7 Dec. 28/2 ‘You're mistaken,’ he said, trying to look me down. 1942 W. Morris My Uncle Dudley iii. 46 She wasn't so dumb and she'd heard all of that and looked him down. 1995 M. Barker & R. Sabin Lasting of Mohicans v. 111 Coolly, he looks her down and tells her he will not bury his friends. 3. intransitive. Stock Market. Of a commodity: to decrease in value. Also in extended use. Cf. to look up 6 at Phrasal verbs 1. ΘΚΠ society > trade and finance > stocks and shares > deal in stocks and shares [verb (intransitive)] > state of market or prices > fall or rise (of prices) to look downwards1796 to look downward1801 to look down1808 rally1826 sag1870 give way1883 slump1888 firm1896 move1904 spurt1931 perform1933 dip1956 to pull back1966 to go in the tank1974 1808 Ann. Reg. 1806 (Otridge ed.) Hist. Europe 49/1 The bounties would begin soon, in the language of 'Change Alley, to ‘be looking down’. 1850 Brit. Q. Rev. Aug. 60 For once in their lives, even the ‘holders’ of sovereigns thought that shares were ‘looking down’. 1968 B. Bainbridge Another Part of Wood ii. 111 He still went out daily and returned at six o'clock to tell her his shares were looking up—they always looked down the following day. 2005 Time Out 7 Dec. 173/1 Things are looking down for the trout-faced doctor who is fending off accusations of murder. to look downward 1. intransitive. To direct one's gaze downward; to lower one's eyes or face; = to look down 1a at Phrasal verbs 1. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (intransitive)] > look down to look downa1200 to look downward?a1425 to look downwards1550 to look under1622 ?a1425 Mandeville's Trav. (Egerton) (1889) 87 Lukand douneward to þe erthe. ?1530 Dialoges Creatures Moralysed xli. sig. N.iii^v A wylde beaste or serpent callyd Cacoblephas..beringe a greuous hede, which continually is lokynge downwarde to the erthe. 1550 J. Heywood Hundred Epigrammes lxix. sig. Ciii I loke downeward to my feete. 1605 Bp. J. Hall Medit. & Vowes I. §39 The wicked manne lookes downe-ward, and sees three terrible spectacles, Death, Iudgement, Hell. 1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost iii. 722 Look downward on that Globe whose hither side With light from hence, though but reflected, shines. View more context for this quotation 1736 A. S. Catcott Supreme & Inferiour Elahim 13 They..all looked downward on the mercy-seat. 1762 Ld. Kames Elements Crit. I. iv. 273 Neither is looking downward painful. 1863 ‘G. Eliot’ Romola I. i. 17 One [man] was stooping slightly, and looking downward with the scrutiny of curiosity. 1911 Z. Grey Young Lion Hunter viii. 97 Looking downward was like looking into the placid, blue, bottomless depths of the Pacific. 1988 W. Riley in G. Ursell Sky High 192 The upper middle class..could look downward with apprehension, and upward with hope. 2011 M. A. Monroe Butterfly's Daughter (2012) ix. 132 Ofelia's face colored and she looked downward. 2. intransitive. Stock Market. Of a commodity or its price: to decrease in value. Also in extended use. Cf. to look down 3 at Phrasal verbs 1. Now rare. ΘΚΠ society > trade and finance > stocks and shares > deal in stocks and shares [verb (intransitive)] > state of market or prices > fall or rise (of prices) to look downwards1796 to look downward1801 to look down1808 rally1826 sag1870 give way1883 slump1888 firm1896 move1904 spurt1931 perform1933 dip1956 to pull back1966 to go in the tank1974 1801 Morning Chron. 20 Oct. Rye and Malt looks downward and sales very heavy. 1872 Chicago Tribune 20 May 3/2 The supply is increasing and prices are looking downward. 1940 Hutchinson (Kansas) News 16 Mar. 4/1 If business is looking downward the passage of another ‘spend for prosperity’ program is surer than the leadership of the Yankees in the American league. to look downwards 1. intransitive. = to look downward 1 at Phrasal verbs 1. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (intransitive)] > look down to look downa1200 to look downward?a1425 to look downwards1550 to look under1622 1550 R. Sherry tr. J. Brenz Verye Fruitful Expos. Syxte Chapter St. John sig. Fiiii Other creatures..loke downewardes to the grownd, but mans body is vpryght to loke vpon heauen. 1637 T. Nabbes Microcosmus ii. C ij When other creatures..Look downwards on't, [thou] hast an erected figure. 1694 tr. F. Martens Voy. Spitzbergen 114 in Narbrough's Acct. Several Late Voy. He doth not look downwards, but streight before, and sidewards. 1706 tr. L. Bordelon Managem. Tongue 249 He walks looking downwards, and he dares not lift up his Eyes to look upon those who go by. 1796 Monthly Rev. 19 57 A judge was expressed by a man without hands looking downwards, to shew that a judge ought not to be moved either by interest or pity. 1896 Sunday at Home 1 Jan. 264/1 It made Harry giddy to look downwards at the vista of great boulders and fir-trunks clinging, as if for dear life, to the precipitous slope. 1937 G. Dennis Coronation Comm. 157 He was nervous, and nibbled at his nails and looked downwards. 2013 Sunday Mirror (Nexis) 8 Dec. (Notebook Mag. section) Do they look downwards when talking to you? Do they hide their hands? These are two signs people give when they are hiding something. 2. intransitive. Stock Market. = to look downward 2 at Phrasal verbs 1. Now rare. ΘΚΠ society > trade and finance > stocks and shares > deal in stocks and shares [verb (intransitive)] > state of market or prices > fall or rise (of prices) to look downwards1796 to look downward1801 to look down1808 rally1826 sag1870 give way1883 slump1888 firm1896 move1904 spurt1931 perform1933 dip1956 to pull back1966 to go in the tank1974 1796 Daily Advertiser (London) 16 July 1/2 Beef is now..three Farthings a Pound dearer than it had been a Fortnight since; Mutton is, however, looking downwards. 1838 Farmer's Mag. May 388/2 Wool has rather receded in price, and few buyers, which is invariably the case when things are looking downwards. 1852 Express (London) 31 Aug. 1/6 The [tallow] market has become quiet, and prices look downwards. 1919 Japan Financial & Econ. Monthly May 18/2 The price of rice which had been looking downwards showed a great falling off in the month under review. to look forth intransitive. To look out, esp. from a window or other vantage point, on to a view or vista. Also figurative with reference to an immaterial or future prospect; cf. to look forward at Phrasal verbs 1. Now somewhat archaic. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (intransitive)] > look forth or out to look forthOE to look outa1393 outlook1888 OE (Northumbrian) Lindisf. Gospels: John xx. 11 Inclinauit se et prospexit in monumentum : gebeg hia seolfe & giorne sceode uel locade forð in ðæm byrgenne. a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) i. l. 1686 (MED) Sche loketh forth as doth a More. a1450 ( G. Chaucer Bk. Duchess (Tanner 346) (1871) l. 294 In þe dawnyng I lay..in my bed al naked And lokid forþ, for I was wakid. 1498 Interpr. Names Goddis & Goddesses (de Worde) sig. Ciii^v/1 Then loked I forth as doctryne me bad. ?1507 W. Dunbar Tua Mariit Wemen (Rouen) in Poems (1998) I. 49 I salbe laith to lat him le quhill I may luke furtht. 1569 ‘L. Avale’ Commem. Edmonde Boner ix. sig. C.ij One morne betime I loked forth, as ofte as I did before. 1611 Bible (King James) Song of Sol. ii. 9 He looketh forth..at the windowe. View more context for this quotation 1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost xii. 209 Through the Firey Pillar and the Cloud God looking forth will trouble all his Host. View more context for this quotation 1728 R. Erskine Saving Sight 67 He stands looking forth at the Windows of Ordinances. 1766 H. Brooke Fool of Quality I. vii. 296 My soul..looked forth, though at a distance, to some future dawning. 1813 W. Scott Rokeby i. i. 4 The warder..from old Baliol's tower looks forth. 1885 J. H. Dell Dawning Grey, Songs of Surges 97 I stood looking forth o'er the surges,—Looking forth o'er their squadrons of snow. 1908 Michigan Alumnus July 442/2 He looked forth to the legal profession as the one ambition of his life. 1968 Life 5 Apr. 24/1 From behind a plastic mask, a young American spaceman hurtling to Jupiter looks forth, courageous but uncertain. 2006 Pittsburgh Post-Gaz. (Nexis) 9 July e5 That preternatural eye of Sauron, looking forth from Mordor when Frodo dons the Ring. to look forward 1. intransitive. With to (also occasionally †for, †into, †on). To anticipate, expect, consider (an event in) the future; (in later use esp.) to await eagerly. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > expectation > expect [verb (intransitive)] > look ahead to look forward1569 the mind > mental capacity > expectation > expect [verb (transitive)] weenOE weenc1000 thinklOE lookc1225 hopec1330 trusta1387 wait onc1390 supposea1393 to wait after ——1393 to look after ——c1400 thinkc1480 attend1483 suppone1490 expect1535 to expect for1538 aspect1548 respect1549 look1560 ween1589 attend1591 propose1594 await1608 to presume on, upon, or of1608 to look forwards1637 prospect1652 to look for ——a1677 augur1678 anticipate1749 to look to ——1782 spect1839 contemplate1841–8 to look forward1848 eye1979 1569 A. Golding tr. N. Hemmingsen Postill (new ed.) f. 320 When Abel slewe his sacrifices,..he looked forward too the thing y^t was signified [L. prospexit ad significatum]. a1616 W. Shakespeare Measure for Measure (1623) iv. iii. 55 Looke forward on the iournie you shall go. View more context for this quotation a1695 H. Wharton 14 Serm. preach'd Lambeth Chapel (1697) ix. 324 The Soul cannot but..look forward into the Ages to come, and be solicitous of its future State. 1753 S. Richardson Hist. Sir Charles Grandison IV. xl. 285 As if I were looking forward to a reward. 1780 W. Lothian Hist. United Provinces Netherlands i. 7 They looked forward to the time when firmness and perseverance would force their enemies to grant honourable terms. 1848 H. H. Wilson Hist. Brit. India 1805–35 III. i. 48 They..looked forward to the speedy expulsion of the intruders. 1862 W. M. Thackeray Adventures of Philip III. iii. 65 The way in which we looked forward for letters from our bride and bridegroom. 1892 Temple Bar Nov. 379 We were looking forward to a merry time. 1930 A. M. Lindbergh Let. 17 May in Hour of Gold (1973) 135 Most of the time I am either tired, looking forward to a nap, or fuzzy, just having risen from one. 1970 ‘O. John’ Diamond Dress xii. 139 I'd been looking forward to some delicious spaghetti alla carbonara and a bottle of Frascati. 2011 M. Roffey With Kisses of his Mouth 17 He said..that he was looking forward to meeting me. 2. intransitive. a. Without construction. To await or consider the future; to be in a state of anticipation. ΚΠ 1642 H. More Ψυχωδια Platonica sig. E3 Even naturall-providence would bid them look forward. 1684 J. Goodman Winter-evening Conf. 27 If we look forward, and forethink of so many years to come, we are apt to phansie we have an Ocean before us. 1737 A. Pope Epist. of Horace ii. ii. 19 Pleas'd to look forward, pleas'd to look behind. a1766 F. Sheridan Hist. Nourjahad (1767) 71 The loss of Mandana imbitters all my joys, and methinks I begin to look forward with disgust. 1827 Christian Telescope 16 June 125/2 It is with heartful satisfaction that we look forward. 1883 M. Oliphant Hester II. v. 71 Now I can look forward with unmingled pleasure. 1946 H. W. Schneider Hist. Amer. Philos. xxv. 281 Some looked forward in the spirit of utopian reform. 2009 in J. Cassio & A. Rush Green Careers 59 Building inspection is a conservative field, although the green building stuff is challenging many of them to look forward. b. looking forward: (esp. in business and management) in or for the future; looking ahead; starting from now. Cf. going forward at go v. Phrasal verbs 1. ΚΠ 1987 World Econ. Outlook (Internat. Monetary Fund) Oct. 28/2 Looking forward, it is hard to dispute that..increased financing would have beneficial effects. 1995 R. S. Nickerson in D. N. Perkins et al. Software goes to School i. 18 Looking forward, there is the possibility of an effective synergism here. 2001 Daily Tel. 8 Mar. 28/1 Looking forward, earnings before interest depreciation and amortisation are growing at 25pc a year and are expected to hit £7.2 billion by 2002. to look forwards 1. intransitive. Without construction. = to look forward 2a at Phrasal verbs 1. ΚΠ 1598 F. Meres tr. Luis de Granada Spirituall & Heauenlie Exercises vi. 151 Looking forwards, seeing so euerlasting an age of eternity. 1690 T. Burnet Rev. Theory of Earth 8 An account of all the general changes of the Natural World, as far as either Sacred History looks backwards, or Sacred Prophecy looks forwards. 1717 Censor (ed. 2) 191 When I look forwards, and anticipate in Thought the Prospect of those burning Months. 1807 T. Young Course Lect. Nat. Philos. I. xx. 240 To induce us to look forwards with impatience to the publication of such of his works, as have lately been discovered. 1916 E. F. Benson David Blaize viii. 177 He sat there, looking backwards into his life and finding no comfort there; and then looking forwards, seeing a gleam of saving hope. 2007 C. E. Dascălu Imaginary Homelands Writers in Exile Introd. 30 It is quite clear that the medium of writing is one that is always looking forwards, and is, therefore, never complete. 2. intransitive. With to (also occasionally †for, into, †on). = to look forward 1 at Phrasal verbs 1. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > expectation > expect [verb (transitive)] weenOE weenc1000 thinklOE lookc1225 hopec1330 trusta1387 wait onc1390 supposea1393 to wait after ——1393 to look after ——c1400 thinkc1480 attend1483 suppone1490 expect1535 to expect for1538 aspect1548 respect1549 look1560 ween1589 attend1591 propose1594 await1608 to presume on, upon, or of1608 to look forwards1637 prospect1652 to look for ——a1677 augur1678 anticipate1749 to look to ——1782 spect1839 contemplate1841–8 to look forward1848 eye1979 1637 P. Heylyn Antidotum Lincolniense ii. viii. 120 Your Noverint Vniversi being sealed and delivered, wee should look forwards to the rest of your observations. a1684 R. Leighton Pract. Comm. 1st Epist. Peter (1694) II. 347 Looking forwards on eternity, and then looking back to our days, so vainly wasted and worn out to no purpose. 1727 J. E. tr. D. de Saavadra Fajardo Respublica Literaria 91 The Soul..looking forwards into Futurity, and acquiring a kind of Prescience of Things to come. 1819 Q. Jrnl. Sci. & Arts July 266 The British Museum must look forwards for many accessions. 1822 W. Whewell Let. 17 July in I. Todhunter William Whewell (1876) II. 47 You have time plenty to look forwards to the commencement of your illuminatory course in October. 1981 Biogr. Mem. Fellows Royal Soc. 27 123 It was characteristic of Brian to look forwards into the future rather than back on his past achievements for the subject of his Leeuwenhoek Lecture. 2000 N. Griffiths Grits (2001) 271 A feel grand after av yakked an am lookin forwards ter more beer an the rester me vindaloo, so a head back down to the table. to look in 1. intransitive. To look through an opening into the interior of something, esp. a room or building. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (transitive)] > look into to look inc1390 c1390 (?c1350) Joseph of Arimathie (1871) l. 281 (MED) Þenne þei loken in atte wȝucche loueliche boþe. a1400 Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) 987/188* Iohne..loked in & saȝe þe schetez, bot he dorst not gang in. 1483 Catholicon Anglicum (BL Add. 89074) (1881) 223 To Luke jn, jnspicere. a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 163 Me thocht Aurora..In at the window lukit by the day. 1535 Bible (Coverdale) Song of Sol. ii. 9 He..loketh in at the wyndowe, & pepeth thorow the grate. a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 1 (1623) i. vi. 40 Here, through this Grate..Let vs looke in, the sight will much delight thee. View more context for this quotation 1684 Tryal L. Braddon & H. Speke 58 I went to the Closet.., and I looked in, and saw the Razour all in Blood. 1727 H. Herbert tr. C. Fleury Eccl. Hist. I. viii. 492 Looking in through a crevice and seeing no body, they concluded that they were demons. 1787 Scots Mag. Jan. 18/1 He looked in at the lower window, but could not distinguish a single object thro' the impenetrable gloom. 1830 Ld. Tennyson Mermaid in Poems 28 That great seasnake..Would..look in at the gate With his large calm eyes. 1865 C. Dickens Our Mutual Friend II. iv. xiii. 274 Mr. Boffin, submitting to be led on tiptoe to the nursery door, looked in with immense satisfaction. 1925 J. Dos Passos Manhattan Transfer iii. i. 277 A plainclothesman opened the door of the cab and looked in as they went out the gate. 1965 M. Bradbury Stepping Westward iii. 152 He..looked in through the glass-fronted boxes at the rows of delectables within. 2006 H. O'Neill Lullabies for Little Criminals 121 Theo and I decided to crawl inside the cement tunnel... When any kid came to look in, Theo would yell at them to fuck off. 2. intransitive. To enter a room, building, etc., for the purpose of seeing someone or something; to make a short visit or call (on or upon a person). Also in extended use. ΘΚΠ the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going or coming in > go or come in [verb (intransitive)] > come in unexpectedly to drop in1609 to look ina1616 to blow in1895 pop1977 society > leisure > social event > visit > visiting > visit [verb (intransitive)] > visit informally to call in1573 to drop in1609 to look ina1616 to come round1620 to go round1636 to put in1668 to go around1742 to happen in1749 to run in and out1779 to come around1822 to pop in and out1846 to happen in with1883 to stop in1904 stop1905 society > leisure > social event > visit > visiting > visit [verb (transitive)] > informally to look into ——1596 to look ina1616 a1616 W. Shakespeare Othello (1622) v. ii. 264 Looke in vpon me then, and speake to me. View more context for this quotation 1691 R. Ames Search after Claret i. xxvi. 7 We lookt in at the Ship and found the Boys idle. 1754 J. Spence Let. 2 Nov. in T. Warton Corr. (1995) i. 29 It would be a kind and charitable thing to look in upon one in the winter. 1799 in Spirit of Public Jrnls. (1800) 3 121 To fashionably and carelessly look in at Tattersall's. 1836 C. Dickens Pickwick Papers (1837) ii. 25 Will ten o'clock be too late to look in for half an hour? 1890 W. C. Russell Ocean Trag. III. xxvi. 4 I'll look in upon him after breakfast. 1921 Black Diamond 5 Nov. 473/2 He looked in on the Detroit branch office of the company before returning to Cincinnati. 1978 Backpacker Oct. 61/1 Fish Lake, where we would look in on two men spending the winter. 1987 News on Sunday 12 July 35 I looked in on the scheme run by cricketer Jean Wright. 2010 R. Wyatt Lett. to Omar 135 I walked by our ‘afternoon hotel’ on the way here and looked in for old time's sake. 3. intransitive. colloquial. To watch a television programme. Cf. looker-in n. (b) at looker n. Compounds 2. Now rare. [After to listen in at listen v. 2e.] ΘΚΠ society > communication > broadcasting > audience > [verb] > television viewing to look in1922 to watch in1928 teleview1931 1922 Los Angeles Times 21 Nov. ii. 4/2 The latest invention..will enable us to see around the world as we now hear and talk around it. Thus, in Los Angeles we will not only ‘listen in’, but look in as well. 1950 Ann. Reg. 1949 418 At the end of October there were..206,000 [television] sets licensed and..as many as a million people regularly looking-in. 1959 J. Boland Operation Red Carpet v. 67 I often look-in when he's on. 1991 Guardian 21 Oct. 25/1 TV-am's total audience—12 million-plus people looking in at some time during the week. to look off intransitive. To turn one's eyes away. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > not seeing or preventing from seeing > prevent from seeing [verb (intransitive)] > turn one's eyes away to look offa1586 a1586 Sir P. Sidney Arcadia (1590) ii. xvii. f. 177 Philoclea..gaue her self to be seen vnto her, with such a lightning of Beauty vpon Zelmane, that nether she could looke on, nor would looke of. 1643 A. Jackson Help Understanding Script. xxix. 212 All the following ceremonies, sacrifices, purifyings, were to this end, to teach men to look off from these men. 1738 J. Swift Compl. Coll. Genteel Conversat. 25 Why then, Mr. Neverout, do you see, if you don't much like it, you may look off of it. 1782 H. Walpole Vertue's Anecd. Painting (ed. 3) V. 113 Another small head of a man looking off. 1814 J. Austen Mansfield Park II. v. 115 Will not you engage to attend with your eyes steadily fixed on him the whole time..; or only looking off just to note down any sentence pre-eminently beautiful? View more context for this quotation 1864 Mrs. H. Wood Trevlyn Hold III. x. 137 He looked off from his plate to stir his tea. 1933 Boys' Life Mar. 6/3 The memorandum was on his desk when he came in. He picked it up—looked off for a moment. 1984 New Yorker 17 Dec. 122/3 Tom came round to open the car door for Aunt Daisie. ‘What can I do to help?’ he asked. ‘You can look off somewhere,’ Aunt Daisie said. 2010 E. Corrigan Accomplice xiii. 120 He looked off in the direction of the woods I'd just crawled through. to look on 1. intransitive. a. To direct one's gaze in observation or contemplation; esp. to watch without participating, to be a spectator or observer. Cf. to look upon at Phrasal verbs 1.In early use (when on immediately precedes look) difficult to distinguish from onlook vb. at on- prefix 1b. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (intransitive)] > look on or spectate to look onOE to look upona1470 to keep the ring1798 to play the gallery1870 spectate1929 OE Old Eng. Hexateuch: Deut. (Claud.) xxviii. 32 Syn ðine suna & ðine dohtra geseald oðrum folce, ðær ðu on locige [L. videntibus oculis tuis]. c1485 ( G. Hay Bk. Law of Armys (2005) 285 A trety of proprieteis..yat salbe gude and prouffitable for all men yat on lukis. a1568 in Bannatyne MS f. 136^v For to luk on quha sa lykis na langer scho tareit. 1597 W. Shakespeare Romeo & Juliet i. iv. 38 Ile be a candleholder and looke on . View more context for this quotation 1628 J. Earle Micro-cosmogr. xliii. sig. H2^v He enioyes it that lookes on and bets not. 1649 in S. Ree Rec. Elgin (1908) II. 434 The examinators..sall..exerceise them in the same kynd, the master lookeing on. 1741 J. Ozell tr. P. de B. de Brantôme Spanish Rhodomontades 21 Miscarrying in that Design too, he contented himself, for a while, to lye-by and look on. 1783 H. Rooke Trav. Arabia Felix vii. 54 An old slave, who looked on with silent anguish while a tear trickled down his cheek. a1830 W. Surtees Twenty-five Years in Rifle Brigade (1833) xvii. 342 In order to magnify the appearance of our force, should any concealed American be looking on, we extended our files. 1879 M. Pattison Milton x. 118 The world looks on and laughs. 1924 J. A. Thomson Sci. Old & New xliv. 259 While the umbrella-ant workers are busy.., some of their fellows, with enormously large heads, simply walk about looking on. 1965 Mrs. L. B. Johnson White House Diary 13 July (1970) 296 I would depend upon that man if I were John Citizen looking on from my living room. 2013 New Yorker 4 Feb. 54/3 His father was a veterinarian and a metalworking hobbyist, who tinkered with his Lotuses and Mini Coopers in the back yard while his younger son looked on. b. to look on ahead: to direct one's gaze ahead of oneself; (hence) to consider or contemplate the future. ΚΠ 1854 Another Trip to East 135 Looking on ahead, we found to our sorrow that we had floated once more within sight of the citadel of ‘El Masr’, or Cairo. 1860 H. Fearon What to learn & what to Unlearn (new ed.) i. 33 In every way some knowledge of social economy would help a man. It would teach him to look on ahead. 1918 E. Philpotts Spinners xix. 453 Be a man and take man's views and look on ahead and think of your future life. 1962 Amer. Motorcyclist June 30/3 I looked on ahead at the people I knew. 2012 N.Y. Times (Nexis) 22 Apr. 23 We're always concerned about looking on ahead... We're not particularly nostalgic people. 2. intransitive. colloquial. To read from a book, etc., at the same time (with another person). ΘΚΠ society > communication > reading > [verb (intransitive)] > at the same time as another person to look over1837 to look on1893 1893 [implied in: Cornhill Mag. Jan. 64 They seem to have had a scarcity of music, necessitating a good deal of ‘looking on’.]. 1930 in Trans. Yorks. Dial. Soc. (1989) 17 43 Con Ah look on wi thee? 1994 C. Fuhrman Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys 104 Look on with someone else. 2003 A. Huebner We Pierce (2004) v. 53 He had..forgotten his textbook. Meg let him look on with her. to look out 1. intransitive. a. To look from within a room, building, etc., to the outside; (also) to put one's head out of a window or other opening so as to look through it. Also in figurative context. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (intransitive)] > look forth or out to look forthOE to look outa1393 outlook1888 a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) v. l. 6661 That I be nyhte mai arise, At som wyndowe and loken oute. a1450 York Plays (1885) 85 (MED) We dar not loke oute at no dore. a1525 (c1448) R. Holland Bk. Howlat l. 63 in W. A. Craigie Asloan MS (1925) II. 97 To luke out on day licht. 1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VIII f. lxxxxi^v A prison and a man lokyng out at a grate. 1567 T. Harman Caueat for Commen Cursetors (new ed.) sig. Cii [She] wente vnto her hall windowe..and loking out therat pointed with her fingar. a1616 W. Shakespeare Timon of Athens (1623) v. ii. 13 Lord Timon, Timon, Looke out, and speake to Friends. View more context for this quotation a1640 J. Fletcher & P. Massinger False One i. ii, in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. Qq2^v/2 Looke out bright eyes, and blesse the ayre: Even in shadowes you are faire. 1749 L. Pilkington Mem. (new ed.) II. 220 The Fellows..looked out at the Window, while I dressed myself. 1809 B. H. Malkin tr. A. R. Le Sage Adventures Gil Blas III. vii. ii. 30 They..looked out at the corners of their eyes. 1855 Ld. Tennyson Maud ix, in Maud & Other Poems 33 The sun look'd out with a smile Betwixt the cloud and the moor. 1913 A. M. Doling Brilla xiv. 122 Walking to the door he looked out upon the fairness of the day, its gleaming, sparkling radiance. 1951 S. H. Bell December Bride i. v. 38 Sarah..stood with her back to the room looking out over the close. 2011 J. Franc Hooked 59 You went to the window and looked out. †b. To appear, show oneself. Also of a quality or attribute: to become apparent or manifest. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > visibility > be visible [verb (intransitive)] > appear or become visible ariseOE to come in (also to, on, etc.) placec1225 'peara1382 appear1382 kithea1400 to show out?a1425 muster?1435 to come forthc1449 to look outa1470 apparish1483 to show forth1487 come1531 to come out?1548 peer1568 to look through1573 glimpse1596 loom1605 rise1615 emicate1657 emike1657 present1664 opena1691 emerge1700 dawn1744 to come down the pike1812 to open out1813 to crop out1849 unmask1858 to come through1868 to show up1879 to come (etc.) out of thin air1932 surface1961 a1470 T. Malory Morte Darthur (Winch. Coll. 13) (1990) III. 1215 Why holdyst thou thyselff within holys and wallys lyke a cowarde? Loke oute, thou false traytoure knyght. a1500 (a1400) Ipomedon (Chetham) (1889) l. 7289 (MED) Ipomadon through þe body hym bare; By hyde [read Byhynde] his bake a fote and more, The hedde lokyd oute behynde. 1579 T. North tr. Plutarch Liues 690 These rouers and sea pirates had all the sea Mediterraneum at commaundement: insomuch there durst not a marchant looke out. 1609 W. Shakespeare Troilus & Cressida iv. vi. 57 Her wanton spirits looke out At euery ioynt and motiue of her body. View more context for this quotation 1690 S. Mullenaux Jrnl. Three Months Royal Campaign Ireland 13/2 The Protestants now began to look out, not knowing well in what Condition they were in, but venturing to the Castle, they found Capt. Farlow. 2. transitive. To find by looking; to search out. Now chiefly British. ΘΚΠ society > communication > reading > [verb (transitive)] > find in a book or paper looklOE to look out?1496 to turn to ——1568 to look upa1632 to turn up1710 to turn out1834 the world > action or operation > endeavour > searching or seeking > finding or discovery > find or discover [verb (transitive)] > find by other specific means to look out?1496 to turn up1523 to bolt out1553 quafer1694 peep1819 poke-out1874 ?1496 Peruula sig. A^v I shal reherce myn englissh first ones. twyes or thryes. and loke oute my principal verbe. 1535 Bible (Coverdale) Ezek. xxi. 29 Thou hast loked the out vanities, & prophecied lyes. a1593 C. Marlowe Tragicall Hist. Faustus (1604) sig. D3 She has sent me to looke thee out, prethee, come away. a1616 W. Shakespeare Timon of Athens (1623) iii. ii. 61 Ile looke you out a good turne Seruilius. View more context for this quotation 1658 in Plymouth Col. Rec. (1855) III. 141 Liberty is graunted vnto Mr. Josias Winslow,..to look out a place to suply him with twenty fiue acres of land. 1768 E. Cleaveland in B. P. Smith Hist. Dartmouth Coll. (1878) 36 The Deputy Surveyor,..offered his assistance to look out the township and survey it. 1789 H. L. Piozzi Observ. Journey France II. 133 I am tired of looking out words to express their various merits. 1838 C. Dickens Oliver Twist I. viii. 133 You're a-staring at the pocket-handkerchiefs!—eh, my dear?.. We've just looked 'em out ready for the wash. 1884 ‘E. Lyall’ We Two II. iii. 64 She went..for the ‘Bradshaw’, and looked out the afternoon trains. 1953 K. Tennant Joyful Condemned xxxvi. 358 I looked out a dress of mine. 1966 A. J. Bliss Dict. Foreign Words & Phrases 14 Obsolete words which must be looked out in a historical dictionary. 2002 V. Coren & C. Skelton Once more, with Feeling xliv. 304 She..has looked out the two white garments she owns and wears them with graceful reluctance. †3. intransitive. To go out looking; to make a brief excursion. Also to look out of (a place). Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > travel > [verb (intransitive)] > make short journey or excursion, esp. for pleasure to go abroadc1400 to make an errandc1400 to look out1551 jaunt1647 out1653 trip1664 to make or take a step1670 to step up1758 run1759 excursion1792 excursionize1866 tripper1959 1551 T. Wilson Rule of Reason sig. Mj^v He loked not out of his house all that daye. 1627 J. Mayer Ecclesiastica Interpretatio 455 If men on horsebacke would looke out to it, their bloud couereth the ground such a distance and so deepe as that it commeth vp to the horse bridles. 1699 W. Dampier Voy. & Descr. i. vii. 131 The Fish is presently sent to the Market in one of their Boats, the rest looking out again for more. 1793 J. Smeaton Narr. Edystone Lighthouse (ed. 2) §296 It was not till the 12th instant that we were able to look out to sea further than to supply the seamen on board the buss with provisions. 4. intransitive. a. To keep watch; to be alert or vigilant; to take care, be careful. Also in imperative, as a warning. Cf. lookout n. 1. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > vigilance > be vigilant or on one's guard [verb (intransitive)] watcha1225 warea1325 bewarea1400 keepc1400 waitc1400 lay good waitc1440 to lie in great waitc1440 to look out?1553 to look about1599 awake1602 advigilate1623 to keep an eye open1651 perdue1656 to look sharp1680 waken1682 tout1699 to keep a sharp look-out1827 to keep one's weather-eye open1829 to keep (also have) an eye out1833 to keep one's eyes peeled1844 to watch out1845 to skin one's eyes1851 to have (also keep) one's eye on the ball1937 to watch one's back1949 the world > action or operation > manner of action > care, carefulness, or attention > caution > be cautious or take care [verb (intransitive)] warea1000 biwaitc1456 to look to it1548 to look out?1553 to play safe1601 to be on the sure side1668 to mind out1823 to keep one's powder dry1837 to play it safe1873 to have a care1876 to watch it1916 to watch (or mind) one's step1934 the world > action or operation > manner of action > care, carefulness, or attention > care or heed [verb (intransitive)] > take care > to do something await?c1430 regard1535 to be surec1555 observe1611 consider1646 to look out1655 see1734 ?1553 tr. Pope Pius II Hist. Ladye Lucres & Eurialus sig. E.i^v I wyll looke oute [L. oculis observabo] that noo man take nothynge. 1602 B. Jonson Poetaster ii. i. sig. C These Courtiers runne in my minde still; I must looke out . View more context for this quotation 1655 C. Chauncy in J. Quincy Hist. Harvard Univ. (1840) I. 469 That..your petitioner..[may not be] enforced to look out to alter his condition. 1705 F. Fuller Medicina Gymnastica Pref. sig. d^v It is high time to look out, and set upon a resolute Course of Riding. 1740 tr. C. de F. de Mouhy Fortunate Country Maid I. 77 Let us look out sharp where we are, this is the Place we lost her in. 1829 W. S. Landor Imaginary Conversat. 2nd Ser. II. viii. 449 Before that time I will look out sharply, and afterward you must. 1886 W. Besant Children of Gibeon II. ii. ix. 104 You'd better look out. Melenda's in a rage. 1930 W. S. Maugham Cakes & Ale x. 116 You're so sharp you'll cut yourself if you don't look out. 1952 E. Ferber Giant xx. 334 You want to look out, Bick, she don't get tromped the way they're milling around today. 2014 Morning Call (Allentown, Pa.) (Nexis) 1 May a19 ‘Look out!’ someone shouted as the panicked attendees fled toward the rear. †b. Cricket. To field. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > cricket > fielding > field [verb (intransitive)] stop1744 scout1786 to watch out1786 field1798 to look out1836 to fag out1839 to seek out1840 1836 C. Dickens Pickwick Papers (1837) vii. 68 Several players were stationed, to ‘look out’, in different parts of the field. 1869 Boy's Bk. Sports, Games, Exercises, & Pursuits 109 Point has to look out in a line with the popping crease, and about seven yards from the striker. 5. intransitive. to look out for. a. To watch for; to search, be on the lookout for; to await vigilantly. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > endeavour > searching or seeking > search for or seek [verb (transitive)] > search about for to search out?a1400 to look about1536 to feel after ——?1557 study1561 to feel for ——1569 to look out for1578 to lay out1624 to look round1630 to lay about1755 prospect1854 roust1870 to look around1927 the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > vigilance > [verb (transitive)] > guard against warea900 to be aware of1095 wardc1230 bihedea1250 to attend fromc1375 counterwaitc1386 to look out for1578 counterguard1583 bewarea1600 mind1700 to guard against1725 tent1737 1578 G. Best True Disc. Passage to Cathaya ii. 13 Euery man within borde..had ynough to doe, with his handes to hale ropes, and with his eyes to looke out for daunger. 1659 in Rothesay Town Council Rec. (1935) I. 31 That the proveist..luik out for timber for building the smiddie. 1669 Lady Chaworth in 12th Rep. Royal Comm. Hist. MSS (1890) App. v. 11 Some [are] so foolish now to cry the Duchess hath done itt, to looke out for love letters. 1742 G. Berkeley Let. 2 Feb. in Wks. (1871) IV. viii. 284 I wrote..to Dean Browne to look out for a six-stringed bass viol of an old make and mellow tone. 1766 O. Goldsmith Vicar of Wakefield II. vii. 103 Prepare then this evening to look out for work against to-morrow. 1892 Chambers's Jrnl. 4 June 361/2 I'll look out for something to do. 1917 J. M. Grider Diary 29 Sept. in War Birds (1927) 21 We were supposed to look out for gulls which they say usually follow in the wake of a sub. 1954 Househ. Guide & Almanac (News of World) 15/1 Look out for the Plough, which consists of seven stars in the constellation of the Great Bear. 2005 Delicious Nov. 124/3 For the French toast, look out for cinnamon swirl bread in supermarkets. b. To show care or concern for; to act in the interests of. ΚΠ 1752 H. ap D. Price Genuine Acct. Life & Trans. iii. 31 She..requested me rather to look out for our mutual Security. 1798 J. Ebers New & Compl. Dict. German & Eng. Lang. II. 827/1 Every one looks out for his own Interest. 1828 W. Scott Fair Maid of Perth iii, in Chron. Canongate 2nd Ser. III. 57 Rely on my looking out for your safety. 1894 D. C. Fletcher Reminisc. Calif. 195 McClellan always looked out for the privates, and did not have them make forced marches, or do anything else that was disagreeable. 1919 W. Irwin Blooming Angel iv. 74 I've looked out for ev-erything [sic]... I've brought a hundred and twenty-eight dollars in my own little selfish purse. 1956 A. L. Rowse Diary Jan. (2003) 205 Georgia looking out for herself—a nice demonstration of the impossibilism of the Confederacy. 2004 Deseret Morning News (Salt Lake City) (Nexis) 4 Dec. There's nobody there looking out for the defendants at all. So it's a walk-through for the state. 6. intransitive. Of a building, window, etc.: to have or afford an outlook on, over, to, etc. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > thing seen > place where view obtained > have view [verb (intransitive)] seec1200 prospect1555 to look out1624 command1667 1624 J. Smith Gen. Hist. Virginia v. 191 A frame of wood built by Master More for a Watch-tower to looke out to Sea. 1686 tr. J. Chardin Coronation Solyman 84 in Trav. Persia The great Portal of his Palace that looks out into the Royal Square. 1725 D. Defoe Tour Great Brit. II. i. 78 On that Side of the Building which looks out upon the Terrace, are all the Royal Apartments. 1756 Gentleman's Mag. May 215/2 A window that looks out to the North. 1819 W. Irving Sketch Bk. i. 34 The windows of the study, which looked out upon the soft scenery I have mentioned. 1866 W. Collins Armadale I. 162 The bedroom looked out over the great front door. 1915 F. H. Burnett Lost Prince i. 4 The back bedroom looked out on small, sooty, flagged yards, where thin cats quarrelled. 1957 ‘P. Quentin’ Suspicious Circumstances i. 5 Two days later I was installed in a suitably Vie de Bohème apartment looking out on the Luxembourg gardens. 2008 B. Colin Luminous Life Lilly Aphrodite (2009) 92 He led her up a narrow flight of stairs to a tiny, low-ceilinged attic room with a window that looked out across East Berlin. to look over 1. transitive. To cast one's eyes over; to scrutinize, inspect, examine; to read, peruse (written matter). ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > enquiry > investigation, inspection > investigate, examine [verb (transitive)] > look through, examine oversee1348 searcha1387 laita1400 overlooka1400 to look overc1400 to run through ——c1449 oversearch1532 overview1549 tumble1597 coursea1616 perquest1892 c1400 (?a1300) Kyng Alisaunder (Laud) (1952) l. 5819 (MED) Þe kyng of his stede aliȝth, And steeȝ on þe wal anon-riȝth And loked ouer what hij dede. ?c1450 Life St. Cuthbert (1891) l. 11 (MED) Saynt cuthbert lyfe..Who so lykes to luk it oure, He sall fynde it part in foure. 1533 T. More Apologye iii. sig. C.ii^v It is lytle meruayle that yt seme long and tedyouse vn to them to rede yt ouer wyth in, whom yt irketh to do so myche as loke yt ouer wythout. 1598 I. D. tr. L. Le Roy Aristotles Politiques ii. iv. 84 He painted his writings, that is to say, that hee looked them ouer, and corrected them must curiously. a1655 J. Tillinghast Elijah's Mantle (1658) 288 Wee never read of a Saint so holy in Scripture, but look him over, and wee shall finde some spot upon him here or there. 1666 J. Bunyan Grace Abounding 94 My heart hath been so dead and drie unto it [sc. the Bible], that I could not conceive the last dram of refreshment, though I have lookt it over. 1706 T. Hearne Remarks & Coll. (1885) I. 201 Dr. Kennett..look'd them [sc. Robert Dodsworth's manuscripts] all over. 1780 T. Davies Mem. Life David Garrick I. ix. 85 Mr. Garrick..received this letter; after looking it over, he put it into the colonel's hand. 1809 B. H. Malkin tr. A. R. Le Sage Adventures Gil Blas IV. xi. ii. 262 The minister..looked me over from head to foot. 1892 Temple Bar Apr. 467 I have a number of papers to look over. 1920 M. Lynn Free Soil v. 40 ‘She must have got a wrong impression somehow,’ John persisted, looking the letter over again. 1964 Life 7 Aug. 64/1 As they accepted his gifts..they looked him over. 2011 B. Wiggins Shifting xvii. 159 I put the menu between us again and began looking it over. 2. intransitive. colloquial. To read from or examine a book, etc., with another person. Cf. to look on 2 at Phrasal verbs 1. Now rare. ΘΚΠ society > communication > reading > [verb (intransitive)] > at the same time as another person to look over1837 to look on1893 1837 Minutes of Evid. Chester & Birkenhead Railway Bill 320 in Parl. Papers (H.L. 107.1) XVII. 1 At Woodside Mr. Poole looked over with me, and gave me the total Number of Passengers. 1913 School Educ. Dec. 4/1 The poor boy sometimes ‘looked over’ with his more favored fellow. to look round (Cf. to look around at Phrasal verbs 1) 1. intransitive. To look around oneself in various directions; to survey one's surroundings; to do this while walking or moving around a place, in order to view or explore interesting features. Also: to turn one's head in order to look in another direction.In early use also frequently in to look round about (cf. round about adv.). ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (intransitive)] > look around to look abouta1200 to look round?1505 to look around1600 skim1817 rubber1896 ?1505 tr. P. Gringore Castell of Laboure (new ed.) sig. B.ii^v I risynge vp loked rounde aboute. [No corresponding sentence in the French original.] 1566 J. Studley Eurybates in tr. Seneca Agamemnon sig. G.vii^v When lookyng round on euery syde she toke her leaue of all. a1618 J. Sylvester tr. G. Fracastoro Maidens Blush (1620) sig. B There looking round, Neither his Brethren, nor the Flocks he found. 1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost vi. 529 Others from the dawning Hills Lookd round, and Scouts each Coast light-armed scoure. View more context for this quotation 1709 D. Manley Secret Mem. (ed. 2) II. 197 See! that Chamber! are you not, as you look round, in a beautiful Parterre? 1791 A. Radcliffe Romance of Forest I. iii. 98 I looked round in search of a human dwelling. 1863 ‘G. Eliot’ Romola II. ix. 96 Tito looked round with inward amusement at the various crowd. 1892 Black & White 19 Mar. 367/2 I had now time and daylight enough to look round. 1950 R. Macdonald Drowning Pool xvi. 143 He looked round at the desert, chiaroscuroed with moon shadows. 2005 R. Fowler & D. Maddock My Autobiogr. (2006) xiv. 369 I was looking round too, but all I saw was everyone staring at the ground. 2. intransitive. To seek or search for. Also without construction (frequently in progressive tenses): to examine or consider a situation with a view to taking some action, deciding on a course, etc.; to explore all possibilities. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > endeavour > searching or seeking > search for or seek [verb (transitive)] > search about for to search out?a1400 to look about1536 to feel after ——?1557 study1561 to feel for ——1569 to look out for1578 to lay out1624 to look round1630 to lay about1755 prospect1854 roust1870 to look around1927 the mind > attention and judgement > enquiry > investigation, inspection > close examination, scrutiny > examine closely [verb (intransitive)] > explore all possibilities to look round1630 to look around1737 1630 P. Massinger Picture sig. D4 Weary he was, and scarse could stand vpright And looking round for some couragious Knight To reskue him. 1700 tr. F. de S. de la Mothe-Fénelon Adventures Telemachus (ed. 2) v. 507 While he was looking round for him, in vain, an old Man, venerable, and full of Majesty, advanc'd toward him. 1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. vii. 161 In great perturbation men began to look round for help. c1869 T. Taylor & A. W. Dubourg in M. R. Booth Eng. Plays of 19th Cent. (1973) III. 250 I've begged and prayed to him for time—only to look round. 1950 J. Cannan Murder Included i. 8 Hugo..is out of the army and looking round; there was some talk of him starting a dairy herd. 1966 I. Jefferies House-surgeon i. 13 Smiling uncomfortably and looking round for unforthcoming support from Grant. 1999 R. T. Davies Queer as Folk: Scripts Episode 5. 141 Cameron. What does an Account Director do? Stuart. I direct accounts... I could do it in my sleep, I dunno, I might move, I'm looking round. to look through 1. transitive. a. To look at thoroughly, so as to perceive or understand the true nature of; to see thoroughly into; to search. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > understanding > intelligence, cleverness > sharpness, shrewdness, insight > penetrate, discern [verb (transitive)] piercea1398 to look througha1525 insee1541 penetrate?1563 to see through ——1565 to look through ——1580 understand1587 to break through1597 fathom1633 unfathom1707 a1525 (c1448) R. Holland Bk. Howlat l. 49 in W. A. Craigie Asloan MS (1925) II. 96 I sawe ane howlat..Lukand ye laike throwe. 1565 J. Jewel Replie Hardinges Answeare To Rdr. sig. ¶2^v Socrates saith, Wee may not beleeue euery Argumente, that is shewed vs, vpon the sight. But must open it, and searche it, and looke it through. 1653 F. Higginson Brief Relation Irrelig. Northern Quakers 19 It hath been his custome..to fix his Eyes earnestly on such strangers as came into his company a good while together as though he wold look them through. 1667 J. Dryden Indian Emperour iii. ii. 32 Fate sees thy Life lodg'd in a brittle Glass, And looks it through, but to it cannot pass. 1737 A. Pope Epist. of Horace i. i. 108 Who bids thee face with steddy view Proud Fortune, and look shallow Greatness thro'. 1779 F. Burney Let. 28 May in Early Jrnls. & Lett. (1994) III. 286 He calls you a sly, designing body,—& says you look all the people through most wickedly. 1826 A. M. Porter Honor O'Hara I. vi. 309 Eyes that look you through in no time. 1887 Edinb. Rev. July 231 His eye glaring at a stranger with a gaze that seemed to look him through and through. 1908 Dentist's Mag. Oct. 857 He didn't have..machines that look you through. 1996 G. Spence Making of Country Lawyer xxxii. 386 He..held you with his eyes like a lemur hanging from a limb peering at you,..trying to look you through. b. To study, examine, survey exhaustively. Now rare. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > enquiry > investigation, inspection > close examination, scrutiny > scrutinize [verb (transitive)] through-seekOE gropea1250 to search outa1382 ensearch1382 boltc1386 examinea1387 ransackc1390 ripea1400 search1409 overreach?a1425 considerc1425 perquirec1460 examec1480 peruse?1520 grounda1529 study1528 oversearch1532 perscrute1536 scrute1536 to go over ——1537 scan1548 examinate1560 rifle1566 to consider of1569 excuss1570 ripe1573 sift1573 sift1577 to pry into ——1581 dive1582 rub1591 explore1596 pervestigate1610 dissecta1631 profound1643 circumspect1667 scrutinize1671 perscrutatea1679 introspect1683 rummage1690 reconnoitre1740 scrutinate1742 to look through1744 scrutiny1755 parse1788 gun1819 cat-haul1840 vivisect1876 scour1882 microscope1888 tooth-comb1893 X-ray1896 comb1904 fine-tooth comb1949 1744 E. Young Complaint: Night the Sixth 35 Look Nature through, 'tis Revolution All. 1782 W. Cowper Conversation in Poems 250 Look human nature through. 1837 G. Redford Holy Script. Verified iv. 269 If we look the world through, we see that temperance, moderation, virtue, benevolence,..promote the health, long life, reputation, and felicity of men. 1887 Poultry Monthly (Albany, N.Y.) June 218/3 Look the history of the Light Brahmas, the Plymouth Rocks and Wyandottes through and see if there has been another trio of breeds that has held such popular positions. 1904 Watchman 28 Apr. 10/2 Look history through and you cannot duplicate Moses, Aaron, Joshua. 2. intransitive. To direct one's gaze through an opening or gap in a solid object, a window or other transparent body, an optical instrument, etc.In quot. 1600 figurative: to be visible or apparent through something. Cf. to look through —— 3 at Phrasal verbs 2. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > visibility > be visible [verb (intransitive)] > appear or become visible ariseOE to come in (also to, on, etc.) placec1225 'peara1382 appear1382 kithea1400 to show out?a1425 muster?1435 to come forthc1449 to look outa1470 apparish1483 to show forth1487 come1531 to come out?1548 peer1568 to look through1573 glimpse1596 loom1605 rise1615 emicate1657 emike1657 present1664 opena1691 emerge1700 dawn1744 to come down the pike1812 to open out1813 to crop out1849 unmask1858 to come through1868 to show up1879 to come (etc.) out of thin air1932 surface1961 1573 G. Gascoigne Disc. Aduentures Master F. I. in Hundreth Sundrie Flowres 280 She poynting hir Maister to the keyhole, bad him looke through. 1600 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 2 iv. iii. 120 Th' incessant care..Hath wrought the Mure that should confine it in, So thin that life lookes through . View more context for this quotation 1645 S. Rutherford Tryal & Triumph of Faith i. 4 Christ doth but draw by a lap of the curtain of Separation, and look through to one beleeving Heathen. 1694 G. Tullie Disc. Govt. of Thoughts iii. 174 Look through at those things that lie within the Vail. 1794 ‘T. Telescope’ & ‘W. Magnet’ Newtonian Syst. Philos. (new ed.) ii. 18 You turn the long screw C on the side, while your eye is looking through at B. 1823 R. Bakewell Trav. Tarentaise II. vi. 245 On looking through, I was surprised to see a numerous group of figures..standing on the floor. 1887 J. Royce Feud of Oakfield Creek ix. 232 The telescope-rifle was passed round a little, and the major looked through, and said nothing. 1953 E. Wilkins & E. Kaiser tr. R. Musil Man without Qualities xliv. 213 If one looked through slantwise, one could see the General's gold sword-knot gleaming in a corner. 1996 C. Logue Sel. Poems 48 Now and again the sun looks through, glints off the mattocks as we pile the stones bigger than melons along the verge. 2008 New Yorker 1 Sept. 76/2 Having poked a hole in the acoustic tile so I could look through. † to look under Obsolete. 1. transitive. To cast (one's eyes) downward. ΚΠ 1577 N. Breton Floorish vpon Fancie sig. M.i He hangs his lyppe, holds downe his head, & lookes vnder his eyes. 1606 N. Breton Choice, Chance, & Change sig. C4^v They would knit the browes, look vnder the Eies, stroke downe their beards. 2. intransitive. To look down. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (intransitive)] > look down to look downa1200 to look downward?a1425 to look downwards1550 to look under1622 1622 M. Drayton 2nd Pt. Poly-olbion xix. 4 Looke vnder, where the Vrnes of ancient times are found. a1680 J. Glanvill Saducismus Triumphatus (1681) i. 102 I looked under and every where about, to see if there were any Dog or Cat, or any such Creature in the Room. 1700 J. Dryden Chaucer's Palamon & Arcite ii, in Fables 37 Thus pond'ring, he look'd under with his Eyes. 1720 J. Dennis Invader of his Country v. i. 64 Tribune, you must mistake, for I observ'd him Look under with his Eyes. to look up 1. intransitive. a. To raise the eyes, turn the face upward. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (intransitive)] > look upwards to look upeOE uplooka1300 to lift (up) one's eyes, brow, face, visagea1400 upgaze1855 periscope1933 eOE Prose Charm: Against Elf-Sickness (Royal 12 D.xvii) in G. Storms Anglo-Saxon Magic (1948) 224 Gif hit biþ wæpnedman and locað up þonne þu hine ærest sceawast..þone mon þu meaht gelacnian. OE Blickling Homilies 189 Locode þa up wið Simones. c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 17423 He shollde sone lokenn upp. O þatt brasene neddre. a1200 MS Trin. Cambr. in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1873) 2nd Ser. 173 Ðanne stondeð þo wreches..and lokeð up and dun and al abuten. a1300 (c1275) Physiologus (1991) 128 Ne deme ðe noȝ[t] wurdi [emended in ed. to wurði] ðat tu dure loken Up to ðe heuene ward. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 21393 Constantin..lok up..He sagh þar cristis cros ful bright. c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer Sir Thopas (Hengwrt) (2003) Prol. l. 8 Approche neer, and looke vp myrily. 1535 Bible (Coverdale) Psalms xl. 12 My synnes haue taken soch holde vpon me, that I am not able to loke vp. 1566 T. Becon New Postil i. f. 9 When these thynges begyn to come to passe, loke vp, and lyft vp your heades, be of good chere, and see that ye be mery. 1580 T. Lupton Siuqila 157 As hee loked vp a little, he espyed the poore man commyng on foote thitherward. 1609 W. Shakespeare Pericles ii. 60 How dares [sic] the plants looke vp to heauen, From whence they haue their nourishment? View more context for this quotation 1638 J. Milton Lycidas in Obsequies 23 in Justa Edouardo King The hungry sheep look up, and are not fed. 1710 R. Steele Tatler No. 231. ⁋2 The poor Cur looked up and wagged his Tail. 1741 Gentleman's Mag. Nov. 602/1 His friend look'd up, well pleas'd no doubt. 1782 W. Cowper tr. V. Bourne Jack Daw in W. Cowper Poems 337 Look up—your brains begin to swim. 1797 A. Radcliffe Italian I. iii. 105 She would still look up..with such doleful expression. 1855 Ld. Tennyson Brook in Maud & Other Poems 112 And he look'd up. There stood a maiden near. 1892 Longman's Mag. Jan. 247 She looked up from her writing. 1916 Munsey's Mag. July 289/2 She looked up over her spectacles, as Laura entered. 1963 ‘J. le Carré’ Spy who came in from Cold (1964) iv. 30 Miss Crail looked up sharply from her card index. 2012 D. Park Light of Amsterdam iii. 76 They looked up to see an illuminated Santa Claus climbing the chimney. b. to look up to (occasionally †at). (a) To raise one's eyes towards (God, heaven, etc.) in supplication or adoration. Also in extended use. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (transitive)] > look up to look up to1496 1496 Rote or Myrour Consolacyon & Conforte (de Worde) sig. Cvii After this grete punysshement he loked vp to heuen with the syght of his soule askynge mercy of god. 1561 T. Norton tr. J. Calvin Inst. Christian Relig. iii. f. 252^v We should learne to tremble at his iudgement, & reuerently to loke vp to his mercie. 1587 E. Hake Oration conteyning Expostulation sig. A4 In these earthly descending bodies there are implanted heauenly ascending myndes, wherewith you might looke vp to your maker. 1626 F. Bacon New Atlantis 7 in Sylua Syluarum Let vs looke vp to God, and euery man reforme his owne wayes. 1673 J. Bunyan Def. Doctr. Justif. 50 This Man's Righteousness is made over to him, that looks up to him for Life. 1719 D. Defoe Life Robinson Crusoe 261 I had..been moved my self to look up to Heaven, and to seek to the Hand that had brought me there. 1794 C. Pigott Female Jockey Club 141 Are these the patriots, to whom England was to look up for Salvation? 1849 G. B. Cheever Hill Diffic. ii. 177 The more you are in the habit of looking up to God before you go to church, the more you will see of God in the preacher. 1892 W. R. Alger Sources of Consol. ii. 141 Affectionate and humble suppliants..look up to heaven. 1922 I. T. Jones Is there God? ii. 56 Without a petition upon his lips, merely with a yearning soul, he looks up to God. 2004 C. Samartin Broken Paradise (2007) ii. 13 The depiction of Jesus hanging with his arms outstretched as he looked up to heaven, asking God to forgive all the sinners. (b) To have a great deal of respect for, to admire, venerate. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > respect > [verb (transitive)] followOE honourc1275 regard1526 to take off one's hat1571 respect1576 to see unto ——1579 suspect1590 honestate1623 defer1686 consider1692 to look up to1719 to have no (a lot of, etc.) time for1938 1719 Free-thinker No. 157. 2 These Three Ladies..look up to him, as their Patron and Defender. 1766 R. Griffith & E. Griffith Lett. Henry & Frances III. 100 The rest seem to look up at you, as of an higher Order of Intelligence. 1843 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 4 i. 210 Sweden looks up to British agriculture as the model for imitation. 1881 S. R. Gardiner & J. B. Mullinger Introd. Study Eng. Hist. i. x. 178 In Pitt England had at last found the man to whom it could look up. 1921 E. von Arnim Vera iv. 38 He had Lucy and her aunt as trusting friends who looked up to him, who had no doubts of him and no criticisms. 1958 Life 14 Apr. 127/1 Although Hitler and his Nazis had been wiped out years before, we still looked up to them as the meanest bops in history. 2006 V. Vinge Rainbow's End xv. 164 Amazing the thrill it was to have someone look up to him. 2. transitive. a. To seek, search for. Now rare. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > endeavour > searching or seeking > search for or seek [verb (transitive)] seekc888 aseekc1000 i-secheOE huntc1175 to seek afterc1175 beseechc1200 fand?c1225 ofseche?c1225 to seek forc1250 atseekc1275 furiec1290 forseeka1300 outseekc1300 upseekc1315 to look after ——c1330 wait1340 laita1350 searchc1350 pursuea1382 ensearchc1384 to feel and findc1384 inseekc1384 looka1398 fraist?a1400 umseeka1400 require?c1400 walec1400 to look up1468 prowla1475 to see for ——c1485 to look for ——a1492 to have in the wind1540 sue1548 vent?1575 seek1616 explore1618 dacker1634 research1650 to see out for1683 quest1752 to see after ——1776 1468 J. Paston in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) I. 399 Þe obligacion of the Bisshop of Norwychys oblygacion, I neuer sye it þat I remembre, wherfore I wolde and prey my modre to loke it vp. 1472 J. Paston in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) I. 447 I..praye yow to loke vppe my Temple off Glasse, and sende it me by the berer heroff. 1589 J. Bate Portraiture of Hypocrisie 29 A vigilant shephearde, that hath care to look vp the lost sheepe of Israel. 1636 Earl of Manchester in Buccleuch MSS (Hist. MSS Comm.) (1899) I. 276 It will be best for every one to..look up the exemptions they have. 1669 in Plymouth Col. Rec. (1856) V. 28 The Court haue ordered that..the said Winge be required to looke vp the said Indian, and bringe him..before some one of the majestrates. 1788 Sessions Papers 9 Jan. 159/1 My witnesses are not come, and I have not had an opportunity to look them up. 1861 T. Hughes Tom Brown at Oxf. I. iv. 61 He was..a sort of boating nurse, who looked-up and trained the young oars. 1894 Ld. Wolseley Life Marlborough I. xxxvii. 278 Hearing of some rebels in the neighbourhood of Taunton, he sent a small party of Oxford's regiment to look them up. 1905 Secret Service 10 Nov. 27/2 ‘Where do you suppose they can have gone to?’ ‘We shall have to look them up.’ b. In early use: †to consult (a book, source of information, etc.) (obsolete). In later use: to search for (an item of information), or seek information concerning (a person or thing), in a book or database, on the internet, etc. ΘΚΠ society > communication > reading > [verb (transitive)] > find in a book or paper looklOE to look out?1496 to turn to ——1568 to look upa1632 to turn up1710 to turn out1834 the mind > attention and judgement > discovery > research > find out by investigation [verb (transitive)] > by consulting sources looklOE seek?a1500 to look upa1632 consulta1634 trawl1906 scan1926 screen1942 a1632 T. Middleton & J. Webster Any Thing for Quiet Life (1662) ii. sig. C2 I will look up some Writings, and return presently. 1692 A. Wood Life & Times (1894) III. 396 They decided to look up it [sc. Wood's Athenæ Oxonienses].., to see what I said of the Presbyterians and Independents. 1865 J. S. Mill Exam. Hamilton's Philos. 458 I have only looked up the authorities nearest at hand. 1876 C. M. Yonge Womankind vi. 44 She had better look the definitions up at the beginning of the books of Euclid. 1890 G. M. Fenn Double Knot I. iii. 113 I have been looking up the Glens. Not a bad family, but a younger branch. 1913 A. J. Rees Merry Marauders ix. 149 'Strooth! he's looked up all our lines. 1976 ‘J. Charlton’ Remington Set iii. 18 I wish I had a book somewhere I could look up police procedure in. 2003 R. Herring Talking Cock 230 I looked it up on the Internet. †3. intransitive. To cheer up, take courage, be cheerful. Obsolete.Apparently only in Shakespeare. ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > pleasure > cheerfulness > be cheerful [verb (intransitive)] > become cheerful or cheer up cheer?1553 to look up1600 come1607 to cheer up1620 exhilarate1620 brighten1692 to come to1765 to come about1775 spurk1823 to hearten up1834 to buck up1844 chirk1844 pearten1851 to come around1853 to liven up1863 to chipper up1867 lighten1873 pep1910 to lighten up1911 1600 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 2 iv. iii. 113 My soueraigne Lord, cheere vp your selfe, look vp. View more context for this quotation 1604 W. Shakespeare Hamlet iii. iii. 50 Then I'le looke vp. My fault is past. View more context for this quotation a1616 W. Shakespeare Winter's Tale (1623) v. i. 214 Deare, looke vp. View more context for this quotation †4. intransitive. Of a plant: to emerge from the ground. Obsolete. rare. ΘΚΠ the world > plants > by growth or development > grow or vegetate [verb (intransitive)] > show above the ground peep1593 to look up1657 1657 R. Ligon True Hist. Barbados 98 If it be suffer'd to look up in a Garden, it will wind about all Herbs and Plants that have stalks. 5. intransitive. Nautical. Of a vessel: to hold closely to the intended course while sailing to windward. Frequently in to look up to windward. ΚΠ 1779 Proc. Court-martial on Trial Admiral Keppel 102/1 After the Red division had passed the rear of the enemy, when the division tacked, did not they look up to windward of the rear of the enemy? 1816 Naval Chron. 35 404 The ship drifted very fast..; and although she looked up near to the southeast, I readily saw there was no possibility of our weathering the Head. 1853 Cruise Challenger Life-boat 37 The main-lug was close reefed and set, and the boat looked up better. 1905 W. C. Russell Yarn Old Harbour Town (1906) ix. 228 She'll look up to windward, or hold her course when the Minorca is falling points off. 1964 Motor Boating Apr. 179/1 She won't look up to windward and the competition is slipping over the horizon. 1970 J. Leather Gaff Rig xiv. 203/1 It is a popular belief that a yawl's mizzen is only a steering sail to make her ‘look up into the wind’. 6. intransitive. In early use Stock Market: (of a commodity) to increase in value. Later more generally (chiefly in progressive tenses): to have a more favourable prospect; to improve. Often in business is looking up, things are looking up. ΘΚΠ the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > improvement > [verb (intransitive)] > improve or grow better betterOE goodOE risec1175 mend1546 meliorize1598 to mend one's hand1611 improve1642 meliorate1655 brighten1659 ameliorate1728 to look up1806 to tone up1881 raise1898 graduate1916 to shape up1938 1806 R. Cochrane Let. 6 Jan. in Papers of John Steele (1924) I. 461 One cause why it has been so low at this market was the scarsity of salt; our river is now full enough for Boats to run, I think the Article will look up. 1822 Examiner 17 Nov. 725/1 Foreign Securities are generally looking up. 1835 Tait's Edinb. Mag. New Ser. 2 211 The Radicals are, to use a mercantile phrase, looking up. 1884 G. Allen Philistia I. xi. 303 Trade is looking up. 1904 Westm. Gaz. 29 Dec. 9/1 Industrial affairs among the Patlanders would seem to be looking up. 1967 Listener 7 Sept. 316/2 Things are looking up on ITV, except on farmer-and-B-film-haunted Southern. 2012 J. Charbonneau Skating on Edge xv. 184 Business was looking up. 7. transitive. colloquial. To visit or contact (a person), esp. for the first time or after loss of contact. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > social event > visit > visiting > visit [verb (transitive)] seekc893 visit13.. vizyc1425 to go to (also and) see1548 to call upon ——1604 calla1616 paya1616 vis1754 to look up1827 to visit with1850 1827 P. Egan Anecd. Turf 182 She ‘looked him up’ as if by accident. 1885 Illustr. London News 21 Feb. 208/3 So do look me up..and you will be most welcome. 1915 W. S. Maugham Of Human Bondage xlix. 249 I'll try and come over to Paris again one of these days and I'll look you up. And then we won't 'alf go on the razzle. 1968 J. Sangster Touchfeather xiii. 140 He said if I was ever in Los Angeles to look him up. 2002 Outside Oct. 124/1 Adario suggests that I look them up before the pistoleiros do. 8. transitive. British colloquial. To watch closely; to keep an eye on. Now rare. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > vigilance > keeping watch > keep watch on [verb (transitive)] biwitieOE to look to ——c1330 watchc1330 to make or lay await onc1386 markc1400 to wait to ——c1440 to keep (also have) an (or one's) eye on (also upon)a1450 waken1535 to look unto ——1594 to carry a wary (also watchful, etc.) eye on (also upon)1596 to look after ——a1616 overwatch1618 snokea1652 to look up1855 surveil1960 1855 A. Marsh Heiress of Haughton II. 52 Phillips is new to his place, remember;—you must look him up, if he is careless. 1862 Mrs. H. Wood Channings II. 235 A pretty time o' day this is to deliver the letters!.. You letter-men want looking up. 1922 E. J. Evans Building Contracts xxiii. 105 Some foremen are not particularly strong on this point and need looking up occasionally. to look up and down transitive. To scrutinize (esp. a person) carefully or appraisingly. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (intransitive)] > scrutinize to look up1841 1841 Standard 4 Aug. He..looked her up and down, and said she was like his former wife. 1893 Strand Mag. 6 125/2 People looked her up and down. 1907 Pall Mall Mag. Aug. 253/1 When it [sc. a railway truck] was cut adrift at Hedly the shunter looked it up and down, and concluded it was normal. 1927 D. Hammett in Black Mask Nov. 21/2 He..looked me up and down, growled: ‘So you're a lousy gum-shoe.’ 1973 E. Caldwell Annette (1974) i. ii. 11 Doan was boldly looking her up and down..and intently inspecting her slender, rounded figure as if making an expert appraisal of her body completely unclothed. 2005 M. M. Frisby Wifebeater xxvi. 184 She kind of rolled her eyes and looked me up and down. † to look upon Obsolete. intransitive. = to look on 1a at Phrasal verbs 1. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (intransitive)] > look on or spectate to look onOE to look upona1470 to keep the ring1798 to play the gallery1870 spectate1929 a1470 T. Malory Morte Darthur (Winch. Coll. 13) (1990) II. 505 And yf thy harte woll nat serve the, stonde by and loke uppon! 1542 N. Udall in tr. Erasmus Apophthegmes ii. f. 260 (note) He might not stand and looke vpon whyle a liue manne wer toren piece mele. 1609 W. Shakespeare Troilus & Cressida v. vi. 10 Aiax Ile fight with him alone stand Diomed. Diom. He is my prize, I will not looke vpon. Troy. Come both you cogging Greekes haue at you both. View more context for this quotation a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 3 (1623) ii. iii. 27 Whiles the Foe doth..looke vpon, as if the Tragedie Were plaid in iest, by counterfetting Actors. View more context for this quotation PV2. With prepositions in specialized senses. to look about —— 1. intransitive. With objective pronoun used reflexively. to look about one: to turn one's gaze or attention to one's surroundings; to consider or take account of one's situation and circumstances; to be vigilant. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see or look [verb (reflexive)] > look around belookc1230 to look about ——c1300 umbeholda1400 umblooka1400 umheeda1400 the world > action or operation > manner of action > care, carefulness, or attention > caution > be cautious [verb (reflexive)] umbelooka1300 umseea1400 to look about ——1562 c1300 (?c1225) King Horn (Cambr.) (1901) l. 1081 (MED) He lokede him abute [Laud loked al aboute, a1350 Harl. lokede aboute] Wiþ his colmie snute. ?a1425 Mandeville's Trav. (Egerton) (1889) 87 Sum of þam..er lukand douneward to þe erthe and will noȝt luke aboute þam. 1484 W. Caxton tr. Subtyl Historyes & Fables Esope v. v Whanne the catte was vpon a tree he loked aboute hym and sawe how the dogges [etc.]. 1562 T. Cooper Answere Def. Truth Pref. sig. E1^v, in Apol. Priuate Masse A man maye thinke they had good cause to startle at the matter, and somewhat to loke aboute them, leste they seemed altogether carelesse. a1616 W. Shakespeare Taming of Shrew (1623) i. ii. 138 Master, master, looke about you: Who goes there? ha. View more context for this quotation 1666 G. Harvey Morbus Anglicus vii. 36 If upon these Signs you find a wasting of your flesh, then look about you. 1712 J. Arbuthnot Law is Bottomless-pit xii. 21 John began to think it high time to look about him. 1741 J. Ozell tr. P. de B. de Brantôme Spanish Rhodomontades 104 [They] had found the Enemy upon them, before they could look about 'em. 1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. ii. 173 At length he returned; and, without having a single week to look about him,..he was at once set to rule the state. 1891 Strand Mag. 2 482/1 He looked about him anxiously. 1911 Harper's Mag. Apr. 772/2 In the midst of this angry justifying of herself,..she stopped suddenly and looked about her. 1967 T. Wilder Eighth Day ii. 238 He rose and looked about him wildly. 2010 T. McCarthy C (2011) 219 He looks about him, embarrassed, before remembering that there's no one else around. 2. intransitive. To gaze around, survey (a room, etc.). Also: To survey one's surroundings while walking or moving around (a place) (now somewhat archaic). ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (transitive)] > survey supervidec1475 to look about ——1489 lustre1541 supervise1541 surview1567 surveyc1595 lustrate1623 resurvey1726 rake1848 1489 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (Adv.) iii. 579 Men mycht se mony frely fute About ye cost, yar lukand. 1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 614/1 I loke aboute the contraye, je pourjecte le pais. 1548 Hall's Vnion: Richard III f. xxviij [He] leapte out of his bed and loked about the chambre. a1616 W. Shakespeare Othello (1622) ii. iii. 249 Iago, looke with care about the Towne. View more context for this quotation 1696 Arraignm., Tryal, & Condemnation P. Cooke 49 Did you look about the Room to see whether there were any new Company? 1789 R. Cumberland Arundel I. xxii. 134 When I awaked I looked about the room, and hardly could persuade myself it was illusion. 1817 A. Plumptre Narr. Resid. in Ireland during Summer 1814 ii. 7 We had intended stopping a day to look about the town. 1886 F. H. Burnett Little Ld. Fauntleroy iv. 71 He looked about the broad hall, at the pictures and stags' antlers and curious things that ornamented it. 1904 Jrnl. Philos., Psychol. & Sci. Methods 1 401 I began to wonder where I could have seen the name, and looked about the desk. 1966 J. J. Phillips Mojo Hand 153 Mr. Talbert rubbed his hands again and looked about the room. 1997 J. Ryan Dismantling Mr Doyle x. 135 He looked about the place, calmed by how everything was as it always was. to look after —— 1. intransitive. To follow with the eye; to look in the direction of (a departing person or thing). Also: †to observe the course or path of (a person or thing) (obsolete).In quot. 1858 figurative. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (transitive)] > watch or observe > follow with eyes to look after ——OE followa1393 suea1398 pursue1558 tracea1701 to watch after1850 OE Blickling Homilies 121 Þa hie þa in þone heofon locodan æfter him, & hie Drihten gesawon upastigendne. c1330 (?a1300) Arthour & Merlin (Auch.) (1973) l. 2377 Ac al þai loked swiþe ȝerne After Tintagel and Ygerne. 1535 Bible (Coverdale) Exod. xxxiii. 8 All the people rose vp,..and loked after Moses, tyll he was gone in to the Tabernacle. 1580 Sir P. Sidney tr. Psalmes David xxxvii. vii Thou shalt see The wicked by his own pride banisht; Looke after him, he shall be vanisht. a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 2 (1623) iii. i. 219 My selfe bewayles good Glosters case With sad vnhelpefull teares, and with dimn'd eyes; Looke after him, and cannot doe him good. 1679 Earl of Castlemaine Eng. Globe vi. xii. 138 If you look after any particular Star..you are sure he is..in a Declining state. 1751 S. Whatley England's Gazetteer at Coventry No body looked after her [sc. Godiva]; yet 'tis said elsewhere, that a poor taylor would needs be peeping. 1850 C. Dickens David Copperfield li. 523 As I looked after his figure,..I saw him turn his face towards a strip of silvery light upon the sea. 1858 H. Bushnell Serm. for New Life xii. 234 His soul still looking covertly after the goods she has lost. 1944 B. Wilder & C. Brackett Lost Weekend (2000) 22 (stage direct.) They both look after Don. 1987 A. Brookner Friend from Eng. iv. 76 I left him..standing on the stairs and looking after me. 2006 S. M. Stirling Sky People xii. 262 The beast hesitated and swung his head left, looking after his herd-mates. 2. intransitive. a. To seek, search for. Now regional or colloquial. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > endeavour > searching or seeking > search for or seek [verb (transitive)] seekc888 aseekc1000 i-secheOE huntc1175 to seek afterc1175 beseechc1200 fand?c1225 ofseche?c1225 to seek forc1250 atseekc1275 furiec1290 forseeka1300 outseekc1300 upseekc1315 to look after ——c1330 wait1340 laita1350 searchc1350 pursuea1382 ensearchc1384 to feel and findc1384 inseekc1384 looka1398 fraist?a1400 umseeka1400 require?c1400 walec1400 to look up1468 prowla1475 to see for ——c1485 to look for ——a1492 to have in the wind1540 sue1548 vent?1575 seek1616 explore1618 dacker1634 research1650 to see out for1683 quest1752 to see after ——1776 c1330 (?c1300) Speculum Guy (Auch.) (1898) 786 (MED) Tweye manere shame men fint in boke, Who-so wole þerafter loke. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 11086 (MED) Þenne loked aftir sir Zakary Tables & poyntel tyte. c1449 R. Pecock Repressor (1860) 77 Such that his suer trouthe is not lokid aftir neither souȝt after. 1549 M. Coverdale et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. II. Heb. ix. f. xv^v Wherefore there is not why the worlde shoulde loke after an other priest, or an other sacrifice to pourge synnes. 1579 T. North tr. Plutarch Liues 241 Martius..cried out on them, that it was no time now to looke after spoyle. a1645 W. Browne tr. M. Le Roy Hist. Polexander (1647) ii. i. 174 We must leave him to his liberty,..and not looke after a remedy for those maladies which are not capable of any. 1699 A. Boyer Royal Dict. (at cited word) To look after (to seek) a thing, Chercher quelque chose. 1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 120. ¶1 He has caught me twice or thrice looking after a Bird's Nest. 1793 J. O'Keeffe London Hermit i. 4 Old Pranks. So, you've pick'd up the mocusses in the Indies!.. Never look'd after me. Whimmy. I ask'd every body after you. 1859 W. Collins Queen of Hearts III. 64 Mr. Dark and myself set forth to look after him from Darrock Hall. 1868 C. Jay Law xviii. 199 They looked after him for a long time, but could not find him. 1918 ‘B. MacNamara’ Valley of Squinting Windows xi. 66 Oh, looking after fresh girls always, the same as his father. 1985 Sat. Night Feb. 37/3 He looking after his papers for coming up here. †b. To require, demand (a quality or attribute). Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > will > necessity > condition of being necessary > need or want > need [verb (transitive)] > require or demand askOE willa1225 requirec1425 crave1576 desire1577 exact1592 solicit1592 wish1600 postulate1605 expect1615 to look after ——a1616 seek1656 demand1748 a1616 W. Shakespeare Othello (1622) ii. i. 247 The knaue..hath all those requisites in him that folly and green mindes look after . View more context for this quotation 1695 J. Locke Some Thoughts conc. Educ. (new ed.) §94. 162 There is yet another Reason, why Politeness of Manners, and Knowledge of the World should principally be look'd after in a Tutor. 1822 S. T. Coleridge Lett., Conversat., & Recoll. (1836) II. 98 Those marks which too frequently are overlooked,..but which ought to be looked for and looked after, by every woman who has ever reflected on the words ‘my future Husband’. †3. intransitive. To anticipate, expect; to look forward to. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > expectation > expect [verb (transitive)] weenOE weenc1000 thinklOE lookc1225 hopec1330 trusta1387 wait onc1390 supposea1393 to wait after ——1393 to look after ——c1400 thinkc1480 attend1483 suppone1490 expect1535 to expect for1538 aspect1548 respect1549 look1560 ween1589 attend1591 propose1594 await1608 to presume on, upon, or of1608 to look forwards1637 prospect1652 to look for ——a1677 augur1678 anticipate1749 to look to ——1782 spect1839 contemplate1841–8 to look forward1848 eye1979 c1400 (?a1387) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Huntington HM 137) (1873) C. iv. l. 249 Þe lest lad þat longeþ to hym..Lokeþ after lordshep oþer oþere large mede. c1400 (c1378) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Laud 581) (1869) B. xii. l. 181 (MED) Þere þe lewed lith stille and loketh after lente. 1477 J. Paston in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) I. 504 He lokyth afftre þat ye sholde com see hym. 1482 W. Cely Let. 29 Apr. in Cely Lett. (1975) 144 My Lorde Chamberleyn ys at Dower, and they loke afftyr hym at Calys at euery tyde. 1533 J. Gau tr. C. Pedersen Richt Vay 37 Ve lwik efter ane blissit hop and the glorious cuming of the greit God. a1555 N. Ridley in N. Ridley & H. Latimer Certein Conf. (1556) sig. E^v Hitherunto ye se..howe I haue in wordes onely made..a florishe before the fighte which I shortelie looke after. 1611 Bible (King James) Luke xxi. 26. Mens hearts failing them for feare, and for looking after those things which are comming on the earth. View more context for this quotation 1700 J. Howe Disc. Unconverted Man's Enmity God 15 Sometimes think of him, as merciless, and irreconcilable; and therefore, never look after being reconciled to him. 1764 J. Stronge Providential Hist. Mankind Opened xiii. 423 The bulk of the Jewish nation..have followed false teachers, leading them..to look after a fictitious or an imaginary Saviour. 4. intransitive. a. To tend to, take care of; esp. to provide for the welfare of (a person, animal, etc.). ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > care, protection, or charge > care for, protect, or have charge of [verb (transitive)] > take care of or look after yknowOE knowlOE to care forc1230 bihedec1250 beseec1300 to look to ——c1300 seea1325 await1393 observea1425 procurea1425 to look after ——1487 to take (also have) regard to (or of)a1500 regard1526 to see after ——1544 to look unto ——1545 attendc1572 to take care of1579 curea1618 tend1631 to look over ——1670 1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) iv. 616 Eftir the fyre he lukit fast. 1590 J. Eliot tr. J. de L'Espine Sicke-mans Comfort 145 The care that he had to looke after them [sc. goods], woulde not suffer him to haue anie leasure. a1616 W. Shakespeare Twelfth Night (1623) i. v. 131 He's in the third degree of drinke: hee's drown'd: go looke after him. View more context for this quotation 1670 N. W. tr. W. Franz Hist. Brutes xxxiv. 251 Thales..advised them, that all who looked after horses should be married men. 1737 H. Bracken Farriery Improved xliv. 581 The many Boys I have had to look after my Horses. 1770 Gentleman's Mag. Jan. 43/2 As many sheep as may be looked after by one person. 1833 H. Martineau Brooke & Brooke Farm (ed. 3) i. 2 To meet the master looking after his fruit-trees. 1885 ‘F. Anstey’ Tinted Venus 30 The person who ‘looked after him’ did not sleep on the premises. 1942 D. Powell Time to be Born (1943) x. 245 ‘What'll we do if he passes out in your place?’ Corinne asked. ‘I'll look after him,’ said Vicky. 1973 Jerusalem Post 10 Dec. 8/3 The kindness of some of the jailers who washed and looked after him when he was too weak to take care of himself. 2010 P. O'Grady Devil rides Out xii. 226 My next assignment as a peripatetic was looking after a girl and her three brothers while their mother went into hospital for a hysterectomy. b. To have as one's business or concern; to give consideration to; to manage, administer. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > manner of action > care, carefulness, or attention > take care about [verb (transitive)] > attend to or cultivate minda1400 intend1429 to look after ——1542 cultivate1654 1542 T. Becon New Pollecye of Warre sig. D.viii If thou dyddest know..those thynges whiche belong vnto thy peace, surely thou wouldest be more diligent to looke after them. 1596 T. Nashe Haue with you to Saffron-Walden sig. S3 Let them that haue the Commission for the Concealments looke after it, or the Man in the Moone put for it. 1662 E. Stillingfleet Origines Sacræ ii. vii. 209 God himself did dispense with the strict ceremoniall precepts of the Law, where men did look after the main and substantial parts of the worship God required from them. a1699 A. Halkett Autobiogr. (1875) 73 Goe to Edinburgh to looke affter my concerne. 1701 W. Wotton Hist. Rome i. 430 He could not look after his Sons' Education. 1774 G. Colman Man of Business ii. 25 I had better go up to the Alley, and look after the business myself. 1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. ix. 536 Under pretence of looking after the election, Clarendon set out for the West. 1891 Law Times 91 32/2 In theory, no doubt, the investor should look after his own interests. 1948 C. Rice Big Midget Murders xxxii. 269 Who was closer to the midget than Allswell McJackson, who stooged for him in his act,..and looked after his accounts? 2005 Sunday Mail (Brisbane) 5 June (Homefront section) 9/1 Owner-builders..look after the co-ordinating and contracting roles normally undertaken by the builder. 5. intransitive. To watch closely, keep an eye on. Now rare. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > vigilance > keeping watch > keep watch on [verb (transitive)] biwitieOE to look to ——c1330 watchc1330 to make or lay await onc1386 markc1400 to wait to ——c1440 to keep (also have) an (or one's) eye on (also upon)a1450 waken1535 to look unto ——1594 to carry a wary (also watchful, etc.) eye on (also upon)1596 to look after ——a1616 overwatch1618 snokea1652 to look up1855 surveil1960 a1616 W. Shakespeare Measure for Measure (1623) i. ii. 132 Is Lechery so look'd after ? View more context for this quotation 1672 C. Manners in 12th Rep. Royal Comm. Hist. MSS (1890) App. v. 25 Our Navy puts out again to sea..and wee shall then looke after the Holland Indian fleete. 1821 Examiner 742/1 The police look after all breaches of the peace. 1937 R. Lowry in New Statesman & Nation 28 Aug. 307/1 I observe that the Agricultural Workers' Union is fighting hard to get nurserymen of the market-garden variety..to pay a decent living wage, but the plant, tree and shrub nurseryman also pays low wages and needs looking after. to look against —— intransitive. To look at or into (something which impedes vision in some way, esp. by dazzling the eyes). ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (transitive)] > look at or behold to look to ——eOE showeOE lookeOE lookOE behold971 beseec1000 seeOE to see on ——OE yseeOE yseeOE belookc1175 to look against ——c1225 to lay eyes onc1230 biwaita1250 holde1303 aseea1325 to see upon ——a1350 rewardc1350 to look of ——?c1400 eyea1425 visage1450 aviewa1513 gove1513 regard1523 to look unto ——1545 respect1567 survise1600 aspect1610 reflect1611 inspeculate1694 spectate1709 to look for ——1786 deek1825 lookit1908 lamp1916 eOE King Ælfred tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. (Otho) (2009) I. xxvii. 511 Þu wast þæt þa men þe habbað unhale eagan ne magon full eaðe locian ongean þa sunnan þonne hio beortost scinð.] c1225 (?c1200) St. Katherine (Bodl.) (1981) 581 Swuch leome ant liht leitede þrinne, þet ne mahten ha nawt loki þear aȝeines. a1450 York Plays (1885) 377 (MED) No man on molde was so myghty Grathely to loke agaynste þat light. 1528 T. Paynell tr. Arnaldus de Villa Nova in Joannes de Mediolano Regimen Sanitatis Salerni sig. Y.iij^v To loke agaynst the sonne: and that is through the vehement splendour and bryghtenes therof: wherby the syghte is distroyed. 1590 Tarltons Newes out of Purgatorie 31 Certaine feathers..which were long and large, of the colour of golde, and were so bright as scarce one could looke against them. 1602 W. Shakespeare Merry Wives of Windsor ii. ii. 234 She is too bright to be looked Against. 1699 G. Harvey Vanities Philos. & Physick xii. 145 Colours..make a Pressure upon the External Tunick of the Eye..which is very perceptible to those, that look against the Light of the Sun. 1756 J. Bate Enq. Similitudes Lord God 224 To labour for Evasion hurts the Mind, as much as looking against the Sun does the Eyes. 1770 A. Young Six Months Tour N. Eng. III. xvii. 181 To the east, you look against a very fine bank of inclosures, most elegantly scattered with trees. 1826 T. Hood Sea-spell in Whims & Oddities 135 The boatman look'd against the wind. 1894 L. Hearn Glimpses Unfamiliar Japan I. vi. 124 I find myself sometimes looking against the horizon glow for shapes of palms and ceibas. 1920 Hunter Trader Trapper Oct. 117/2 (advt.) Ray filter for looking against sun. 1991 M. C. Gilfillan Moods of Ohio Moons 43 I would roam these wet woods for long days,..looking against the bright sky until severe headache forced me from the woods. † to look beside —— Obsolete. intransitive. To overlook, disregard, fail to see. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > inattention > ignoring, disregard > ignore [verb (intransitive)] overhipa1325 to hide one's facea1382 to look aside1530 to look beside ——1533 not to hear on that side1548 to look through the fingers1549 to pull away the shoulder1560 connive1602 to turn a (also the) blind eye1698 to bury (or hide) one's head in the sand1844 Nelson eye1893 not to want to know1948 1533 tr. Erasmus Enchiridion Militis Christiani sig. b.iij^v He..dyd in a maner wynke and loke besyde them [L. ad ea conniveat]. 1612 Bp. J. Hall Contempl. I. i. 27 This..hath no more power to look beside Heauen, then to tread beside the earth. 1689 J. Jeffery Relig. Perfection of Man Pref. p. viii Substances we continually see, and cannot look beside them. 1776 J. H. Langley Sacred Hymns cxiv. 126 Ah! my simple foolish Heart, That thou shouldst ever..look beside the Way. to look for —— 1. intransitive. To seek, search for.to look for a needle in a bottle of hay: see needle n. 1d. to look for a needle in a haystack: see needle n. 1d. to look for trouble: see trouble n. 5. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > endeavour > searching or seeking > search for or seek [verb (transitive)] seekc888 aseekc1000 i-secheOE huntc1175 to seek afterc1175 beseechc1200 fand?c1225 ofseche?c1225 to seek forc1250 atseekc1275 furiec1290 forseeka1300 outseekc1300 upseekc1315 to look after ——c1330 wait1340 laita1350 searchc1350 pursuea1382 ensearchc1384 to feel and findc1384 inseekc1384 looka1398 fraist?a1400 umseeka1400 require?c1400 walec1400 to look up1468 prowla1475 to see for ——c1485 to look for ——a1492 to have in the wind1540 sue1548 vent?1575 seek1616 explore1618 dacker1634 research1650 to see out for1683 quest1752 to see after ——1776 a1492 W. Caxton tr. Vitas Patrum (1495) ii. f. ccxlii^v/2 The fende..in spyeng & lokyng for [Fr. en espiant & regardant] an houre conuenyent and necessary for to deceyue hym, presented vnto hym the syght of a yonge doughter full fayre. 1578 J. Rolland Seuin Seages 144 For ane new lufe but dout sone ȝe wald luik. 1586 G. Whitney Choice of Emblemes To Rdr. sig. *3^v A pearle shall not bee looked for in a poore mans purce. a1616 W. Shakespeare Merry Wives of Windsor* (1623) iii. i. 3 Which way haue you look'd for Master Caius. View more context for this quotation 1677 A. Behn Rover iv. iii. 61 She was looking for something in a great Chest. 1700 F. Atterbury Rights Eng. Convocation vii. 313 He has discover'd a Record (where indeed one would hardly look for it) in a Dictionary. 1768 A. Tucker Light of Nature Pursued II. i. v. 110 We must look for some other property in body rendring it perceivable, and this we may call perceptibility. 1861 G. W. Dasent tr. Story Burnt Njal I. ix. 31 He had best look for a wife. 1892 Black & White 26 Nov. 609/2 Caroline went to look for her a few hours afterwards. 1920 M. Gyte Diary 6 Jan. (1999) 247 When the horses came into the yard this morning, the grey mare was not with them. Vincent went to look for her and found her in a mine hole. 1951 R. Campbell Light on Dark Horse 246 My favourite brother George..breezed in to look for me. 2001 R. Joshi Last Jet Engine Laugh (2002) 322 Anirban slaps his kurta pockets, looking for cigarettes and matches. 2. intransitive. To expect, anticipate; to hope for; to be on the lookout for. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > expectation > expectation, waiting > wait for, await [verb (transitive)] > an event or opportunity waita1400 to look for ——a1500 observe1541 watch1578 watch1831 the mind > mental capacity > expectation > expect [verb (transitive)] weenOE weenc1000 thinklOE lookc1225 hopec1330 trusta1387 wait onc1390 supposea1393 to wait after ——1393 to look after ——c1400 thinkc1480 attend1483 suppone1490 expect1535 to expect for1538 aspect1548 respect1549 look1560 ween1589 attend1591 propose1594 await1608 to presume on, upon, or of1608 to look forwards1637 prospect1652 to look for ——a1677 augur1678 anticipate1749 to look to ——1782 spect1839 contemplate1841–8 to look forward1848 eye1979 the mind > mental capacity > expectation > hope > hope for [verb (transitive)] hopec1000 trow1340 trust1523 to wait after ——1534 lot1633 to look for ——1828 a1500 Craft of Dying (Harl. 1706) f. 27/1 Hys welbeloued and trusti frende and a felow that he hadde longe abyde and loked fore [v.r. after; L. expectat]. 1513 Queen Katherine in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eng. Hist. (1846) 3rd Ser. I. 153 The Scotts being soo besy..and I lokyng for my departing every houre. 1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry V f. xlvij Informed by his espialles that the daie of battaill was nerer then he loked for. 1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 21 Into England, where he was sooner arryued than he was looked for. 1611 Bible (King James) Matt. xi. 3 Art thou hee that should come? Or doe wee looke for another? View more context for this quotation a1677 J. Taylor Contempl. State Man (1684) i. vii. 80 Death steals..upon us, when we least look for it. 1756 C. Lucas Ess. Waters i. 121 We may look for the residuum..to be in general very compound. 1780 S. J. Pratt Emma Corbett I. xiv. 38 Louisa will look for you by ten o'clock. 1828 Examiner 403/1 We must not look for figs from brambles. 1887 E. F. Byrrne Heir without Heritage I. iii. 56 I look for you to join us. 1914 St. Nicholas Oct. 1068/2 When Crawford or Baker faces me, I look for him to simply wallop the ball. 1969 G. Friel Grace & Miss Partridge v. 75 She looked for him to make some advance, willing to help him at the least sign of one, but he was handless, taking his own time. 2002 Courier June 18/2 ‘Customer Focus’, ‘Time Management’, ‘Communication skills’, ‘Organisational Skills’ are all things future employers are looking for you to demonstrate. 3. intransitive. colloquial and regional. To look at, observe. rare. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (transitive)] > look at or behold to look to ——eOE showeOE lookeOE lookOE behold971 beseec1000 seeOE to see on ——OE yseeOE yseeOE belookc1175 to look against ——c1225 to lay eyes onc1230 biwaita1250 holde1303 aseea1325 to see upon ——a1350 rewardc1350 to look of ——?c1400 eyea1425 visage1450 aviewa1513 gove1513 regard1523 to look unto ——1545 respect1567 survise1600 aspect1610 reflect1611 inspeculate1694 spectate1709 to look for ——1786 deek1825 lookit1908 lamp1916 1786 R. Burns Poems & Songs (1968) I. 156 Nell's heart was dancin, at the view; She whisper'd Rob to leuk for't. 1926 J. Black You can't Win xv. 196 We journeyed through Nevada..looking for the scenery. to look inside —— intransitive. To consult (a book, etc.), esp. cursorily; = to look into —— 2b at Phrasal verbs 2. rare. ΘΚΠ society > communication > reading > [verb] > to browse rapidly or omit passages overrunOE skip1526 to glance over1582 to look inside ——1591 to look into ——1624 to glance through1865 1591 J. Harington in tr. L. Ariosto Orlando Furioso xxx. 244/2 (note) Look inside Allusion. 1849 1st & 2nd Rep. Select Comm. Audit Railway Accts. i. 92 in Parl. Papers (H.C. 371) X. 1 I was merely requested..to step round to show the books to Mr. Herapath; it was the first time that I had looked inside the books. 1894 J. A. Froude Life & Lett. Erasmus iv. 74 He may be full of hatred and malice. He may never look inside the Scriptures. 1928 Eng. Jrnl. Nov. 738 I killed Macbeth for them. I don't believe that they will ever look inside Shakespeare again. to look into —— †1. intransitive. To heed, pay attention to, concern oneself with. Obsolete. [After post-classical Latin respicere in (Vulgate).] ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > attention > take notice of, heed [verb (transitive)] yemec897 understandc1000 beseea1225 heeda1225 bihedec1250 tentc1330 to look into ——c1350 rewardc1350 undertakea1382 considerc1385 recorda1393 behold?a1400 receivea1425 advertc1425 attend1432 advertise?a1439 regard1526 respect1543 eye?c1550 mind1559 panse1559 to take knowledge of1566 to consider of1569 suspect1590 pass1609 matter1652 watch1676 the mind > attention and judgement > attention > take notice of, heed [verb (transitive)] > look into, consider lookOE devisec1320 to look into ——c1350 screw1631 c1350 Psalter (BL Add. 17376) in K. D. Bülbring Earliest Compl. Eng. Prose Psalter (1891) ci. 18 (MED) He loked in-to [L. respexit in] þe oreison of þe meke, and he ne despised nouȝt her praier. a1400 Prymer (St. John's Cambr.) (1891) 56 He lokede in to [L. respexit in] the preiere of meeke men. a1500 St. Brendan's Confession (Cambr.) l. 247 in Archiv f. das Studium der Neueren Sprachen 175 46 (MED) I shulde haue lokid into þe goodnesse of þe and of þi werkis..wt worship and reuerens, but I dede it not. 2. intransitive. a. To direct one's gaze to the interior of; to examine the inside of; to look at from outside. Also: to gaze intently or deeply at. ΚΠ a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 14333 (MED) Þe graue lid awey þei kist, And ihesus loked into þe chest. a1413 (c1385) G. Chaucer Troilus & Criseyde (Pierpont Morgan) (1881) ii. l. 1227 He sat and loked in to a strete. 1533 T. More Debellacyon Salem & Bizance ii. xvi. f. xci^v By lokyng into the secrete corners of the mannes harte. 1579 S. Gosson Ephemerides Phialo ii. f. 40^v Stand on a Moulehill to looke into a mustarde pot. 1616 T. Adams Divine Herball iii. 68 Let him looke into this Garden for Hysop, Humility of Spirit. 1665 N. Hodges Vindiciæ Medicinæ & Medicorum v. 132 This simple Quack looking into the Patients mouth. 1730 E. Wright Some Observ. France, Italy, &c. II. 430 The Figure sits in an inclining Posture, as looking into a Bason or Pond just below it. 1768 L. Sterne Sentimental Journey II. 48 He..had look'd into the basket and seen the patès which the Chevalier was selling. 1841 E. W. Lane tr. Thousand & One Nights I. 99 The fisherman, looking into the lake saw in it fish of different colours. 1885 M. J. Franc Into Light viii. 56 Looking into the glowing cavernous depths of the fire. 1930 Pop. Sci. Jan. 57/3 (caption) Full grown, it [sc. a baby giraffe] will be able to look into a second-story window. 1950 R. Macdonald Drowning Pool i. 8 I tossed the letter on the desk-top between us, and looked into her face. 2001 R. Nicoll White Male Heart (2002) 141 She looked into her risotto. b. To consult (a book, etc.), esp. cursorily. Cf. to look through —— 2 at Phrasal verbs 2. ΘΚΠ society > communication > reading > [verb] > to browse rapidly or omit passages overrunOE skip1526 to glance over1582 to look inside ——1591 to look into ——1624 to glance through1865 1624 F. Texeda Scrutamini Scripturas 11 Such a Papist as neuer lookt into the Bible, must needs be ignorant and indiscreet. a1674 Earl of Clarendon Brief View Leviathan (1676) 336 Not only that the Scriptures are the Mount,..but that they may not be look'd into. 1709 R. Steele Tatler No. 47. ⁋5 I so far observed his Counsel, that I looked into Shakespear. 1732 G. Berkeley Alciphron I. v. xvii. 299 To be convinced of this Truth, you need only look into Thucydides. 1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. i. 27 With such feelings, both parties looked into the chronicles of the middle ages. Both readily found what they sought. 1884 Notes & Queries 29 Nov. 426/2 I have looked into several books that treat of popular customs. 1963 J. Ciardi Dialogue with Audience i. 32 Have you ever looked into a pedigree book? I assume this to be a pure-bred bantam. 2002 M. van Tielhof ‘Mother of all Trades’ i. 38 Anyone who has ever looked into a book on demography in early modern times knows that families in which more than a few sons reached adulthood were rare. 3. intransitive. To examine or investigate (a matter, subject, issue, etc.). ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > enquiry > investigation, inspection > investigate, inspect [verb (intransitive)] inquirec1330 aska1382 ensearch1382 questiona1500 investigate?1520 vestigatea1561 to look into ——1561 perpend1568 mouse1575 rake1603 undergo1605 fathom1607 ravel1618 examine1628 inquisition1644 to cast abouta1676 inspect1703 sound1793 disquisitea1823 look-see1862 to cast about one1867 the mind > attention and judgement > enquiry > investigation, inspection > investigate, examine [verb (transitive)] underseekc897 speerc900 lookeOE askOE seeOE teem witnessc1200 seeka1300 fand13.. inquirec1300 undergoc1315 visit1338 pursuea1382 searcha1382 examinec1384 assay1387 ensearchc1400 vesteyea1425 to have in waitc1440 perpend1447 to bring witnessc1475 vey1512 investigate?1520 recounta1530 to call into (also in) question1534 finger1546 rip1549 sight1556 vestigatea1561 to look into ——1561 require1563 descry?1567 sound1579 question1590 resolve1593 surview1601 undersearch1609 sift1611 disquire1621 indagate1623 inspect1623 pierce1640 shrive1647 in-looka1649 probe1649 incern1656 quaeritate1657 inquisite1674 reconnoitre1740 explore1774 to bring to book1786 look-see1867 scrutate1882 to shake down1915 sleuth1939 screen1942 1561 T. Norton tr. J. Calvin Inst. Christian Relig. i. v. f. 6^v They that haue digested, yea or but tasted the liberall artes,..do procede much further to looke into [L. ad introspicienda] the secretes of Gods wisedome. a1586 Sir P. Sidney Arcadia (1590) i. ix. sig. F5 Those imperfections..you by the daily mending of your mind haue of late bin able to looke into them, which before you could not discerne. 1604 E. Grimeston tr. J. de Acosta Nat. & Morall Hist. Indies ii. iii. 86 Let vs now looke into the temperature of Panama & all that coast. 1677 Z. Babington Advice to Grand Jurors 124 Not strictly looking into the matter and form, aggravations and circumstances of the Fact. 1731 T. Gurdon Hist. High Court Parl. I. Pref. p. xvii The farther I looked into our ancient Constitution, the more I found Parliaments to be the main Hinge upon which the Government moved regularly. 1762 tr. Authentic Acct. Proc. Holland & West-Friezeland 33 The Director and Council.., from the Teeth outwards, promised, and undertook to look into this Matter. 1859 Ld. Tennyson Enid in Idylls of King 94 Thither came The King's own leech to look into his hurt. 1879 T. H. Huxley Hume vi. 117 It is needful to look narrowly into the propositions here laid down. 1890 A. Gissing Village Hampden III. i. 15 Read your newspapers; look into the rights of things. 1929 D. Hammett Red Harvest ii. 20 Maybe. But the other angle has got to be looked into too—the political end. 1965 G. Jackson Let. 3 Oct. in Soledad Brother (1971) 89 Be sure to look into the course on speed reading. 2005 Independent 27 Jan. (Review section) 4/2 Even as we speak there are firms of quantity surveyors looking into ways of lashing up a modern house for just 60 grand. 4. intransitive. To enter (a room, building, etc.) for the purpose of seeing someone or something. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > social event > visit > visiting > visit [verb (transitive)] > informally to look into ——1596 to look ina1616 1596 T. Lodge Wits Miserie 63 Let him but looke into a vawting house [i.e. a brothel], he shall play his tricks without charges. 1632 T. Hooker Soules Prepar. for Christ 123 If a great person, especially a Prince or Monarch, did looke into a poore mans house, or come to visit a man in prison, what would the world say? 1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. viii. 296 It is said..that His Majesty deigned to look into the tennis court. 1892 A. K. H. Boyd Twenty-five Years St. Andrews II. xvii. 54 I pervaded Westminster Hall and looked into most of the Courts. 1936 J. Buchan Island of Sheep ii. 27 I looked into the bar for a word with the old fowlers. 2010 Jerusalem Post (Nexis) 7 Feb. 14 Out of interest, we looked into the hotel a few days later, and it was virtually empty. † to look of —— Obsolete. intransitive. To look at or upon. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (transitive)] > look at or behold to look to ——eOE showeOE lookeOE lookOE behold971 beseec1000 seeOE to see on ——OE yseeOE yseeOE belookc1175 to look against ——c1225 to lay eyes onc1230 biwaita1250 holde1303 aseea1325 to see upon ——a1350 rewardc1350 to look of ——?c1400 eyea1425 visage1450 aviewa1513 gove1513 regard1523 to look unto ——1545 respect1567 survise1600 aspect1610 reflect1611 inspeculate1694 spectate1709 to look for ——1786 deek1825 lookit1908 lamp1916 ?c1400 (c1380) G. Chaucer tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. (BL Add. 10340) (1868) ii. pr. i. l. 793 Ne it ne suffriþ nat oo[n]ly to loken of [?c1425 Cambr. Ii.3.21 lokyn on; L. intueri] þing þat is present byforne þe eyen of man. 1530 Bible (Tyndale) Deut. vi. f. xiii^v (margin) It is heresy with vs for a laye man to loke of gods worde or to reade it. 1570 T. Wilson in tr. Demosthenes 3 Orations Ep. Ded. sig. * Often he woulde englyshe his matters out of the Latine or Greeke vpon the sodeyne, by looking of the booke onely. c1592 C. Marlowe Jew of Malta iv. iv Curt. And where didst meet him? Pil... Within 40 foot of the Gallowes, conning his neck-verse I take it, looking of a Fryars Execution. 1688 W. Phillips New Fairing for merrily Disposed 27 The old Woman howl'd, Andrew look'd sad, down went her Stockins to look of her Shins. 1763 G. G. Beekman Let. 30 Sept. in Beekman Mercantile Papers (1956) I. 446 Have also had two of our best Curryers to Look of it [sc. Sole Leather], for fear that the work man under Value it. to look on —— 1. intransitive. With adverb (formerly also adjective) complement or phrase: to regard with a specified expression, or with a specified feeling or attitude. Cf. to look upon —— 1 at Phrasal verbs 2. ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > aspects of emotion > emotional attitude > hold, entertain, or cherish (a feeling) [verb (transitive)] > entertain a feeling towards to look on ——lOE owea1375 to look upon ——c1405 lOE King Ælfred tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. (Bodl.) (2009) I. v. 247 Se wisdom þa and seo gesceadwisnes him bliðum eahum on locodon. [No corresponding passage in the Latin original.] ?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 312 Ne loke ueste onan mon. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 7612 (MED) For los þat dauid wan þat sith, Wald neuer saul lok on him blith. c1450 J. Capgrave Life St. Augustine (1910) 7 (MED) Sum childyr þat can not speke, Þei can loke angrily on hem þat greue hem. c1540 (?a1400) Gest Historiale Destr. Troy (2002) f. 49 Parys..lokit on þat louely with a light chere. 1583 R. P. tr. P. de la Sierra Second Pt. Myrror of Knighthood ii. xxiv. f. 292 This new knight turned his head, & looked on him with..wrath & anger. 1661 G. Leyburn Encyclicall Answer 14 Mr. Blacloe and his faction..looking on me with an enuious eye. 1707 C. Cibber Lady's Last Stake ii. 25 She dares not tho' in Raillery look kindly on me. 1752 H. Fielding Amelia I. i. viii. 56 As to his Person, I assure you, I long continued to look on it with great Indifference. 1837 New Monthly Mag. Apr. 542 Fate..still looked on him maliciously. 1881 S. R. Gardiner & J. B. Mullinger Introd. Study Eng. Hist. i. iii. 40 Edwin and Morcar..looked on him with family jealousy. 1916 J. M. Creed Recoll. Austral. 88 The prairie horses rarely do more than buck straight ahead, which in Australia is looked on with contempt and called ‘pig-jumping’. 1959 New Statesman 7 Feb. 177/1 The term ‘axis’ is looked on with disfavour here [i.e. in Bonn] as a reminder of the Berlin–Rome–Tokyo axis of the Nazis. 2005 N.Y. Times (National ed.) 22 Dec. b7/6 Pianists can only look on all this with a jaded attitude. 2. intransitive. To regard as being something specified. Also: †to consider to be something specified (obsolete). Cf. to look upon —— 3a at Phrasal verbs 2. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > judgement or decision > evaluation, estimation, appraisal > appraise, estimate [verb (transitive)] > consider to be, account as telleOE talec897 seeOE letc1000 holdc1200 reckon1340 aima1382 accounta1387 counta1387 judgec1390 takea1400 countc1400 receivec1400 existimatec1430 to look on ——?c1430 makec1440 reputea1449 suppose1474 treatc1485 determinea1513 recount?c1525 esteem1526 believe1533 estimate?1533 ascribe1535 consider1539 regard1547 count1553 to look upon ——1553 take1561 reck1567 eye?1593 censure1597 subscribe1600 perhibit1613 behold1642 resent1642 attributea1657 fancy1662 vogue1675 decount1762 to put down1788 to set down1798 rate1854 have1867 mean1878 ?c1430 (c1400) J. Wyclif Eng. Wks. (1880) 192 Alle oþere schullen be doumbe & loken on hem as foolis. a1555 J. Bradford Two Notable Serm. (1574) sig. G.viii^v This death of Christ therfore looke on as the very pledge of Gods loue towards thee. 1629 J. Earle Micro-cosmogr. (ed. 5) xxix. sig. F7 All men looke on him as a common father. 1658 T. Tillam Lasher proved Liar 27 Looking on him to be a publick Minister of State. a1715 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Own Time (1724) I. 606 So they looked on him as a dead man. 1723 H. Rowlands Mona Antiqua Restaurata i. xi. 145 The Picts..looking on the Southern Britains as a degenerate Race, more than half Romans. 1825 S. De Renzy Life, Love, & Politics I. iv. 90 I looked on him to be a character too bluntly honest, to take any pleasure in the folly of seriously frightening a poor country novice. 1892 Monthly Packet Mar. 316 Every one..looked on victory as certain. 1919 P. G. Wodehouse Their Mutual Child i. v. 63 This Kid Mitchell was looked on as a coming champ in those days. 1959 B. Wootton Social Sci. & Social Pathol. 15 Many citizens..prefer to look on adult homosexuality as a matter of private taste. 2011 S. Montefiore Mermaid Garden viii. 89 He'll look on you as a child whether you're in your best dress or your usual grubby one. 3. intransitive. To regard with favour; to hold in esteem; to respect. Cf. to look upon —— at Phrasal verbs 2. Now rare (English regional in later use). ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > favour > win favour with [verb (transitive)] > favour to let well ofc1330 favour1340 to take, accept, receive in greec1374 likea1393 smilec1400 to take agreea1425 agreec1450 to fawn on, upon1477 to bear good mind toa1516 to look upon ——c1515 to look on ——1540 vouchsafe1582 conceit1589 relish1594 to look to ——1611 impatronize1629 aspect1663 sympathize1828 to put one's money on1847 1540 T. Elyot Def. Good Women sig. B.iii But vertue, who is not so commonlye seene, and of soo many men loked on, is nowe of dyuerse men so peruersely estemed, that it is of some called foly. 1595 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 3 v. vii. 22 I am not lookt on in the world. 1689 N. Luttrell Diary in Brief Hist. Relation State Affairs (1857) I. 616 Father Petre is now at Rome, but is not much lookt on there. 1859 ‘G. Eliot’ Adam Bede III. vi. li. 246 He'd be a fine husband for anybody..so looked-on an' so cliver as he is. 1896 G. F. Northall Warwickshire Word-bk. 137 Looked on, respected. ‘He's a man very much looked on.’ to look over —— 1. intransitive. To think over, consider, examine.In quot. ?c1400 as part of an extended metaphor. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > thought > continued thinking, reflection, contemplation > thinking about, consideration, deliberation > consider, deliberate [verb (transitive)] i-thenchec897 showeOE i-mune971 thinkOE overthinkOE takec1175 umbethinkc1175 waltc1200 bethinkc1220 wend?c1225 weighc1380 delivera1382 peisea1382 considerc1385 musec1390 to look over ——a1393 advise?c1400 debatec1400 roll?c1400 revert?a1425 advertc1425 deliberc1425 movec1425 musec1425 revolvec1425 contemplec1429 overseec1440 to think overc1440 perpend1447 roil1447 pondera1450 to eat inc1450 involvec1470 ponderate?a1475 reputec1475 counterpoise1477 poisea1483 traversec1487 umbecast1487 digest1488 undercast1489 overhalec1500 rumble1519 volve?1520 compassa1522 recount1526 trutinate1528 cast1530 expend1531 ruminate1533 concoct1534 contemplate1538 deliberate1540 revolute1553 chawa1558 to turn over1568 cud1569 cogitate1570 huik1570 chew1579 meditatec1580 discourse1581 speculate1599 theorize1599 scance1603 verse1614 pensitate1623 agitate1629 spell1633 view1637 study1659 designa1676 introspect1683 troll1685 balance1692 to figure on or upon1837 reflect1862 mull1873 to mull over1874 scour1882 mill1905 a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) Prol. l. 328 (MED) And forto loken over this, If Ethna brenne in the clergie, Al openly to mannes ye At Avynoun thexperience Therof hath yove an evidence. ?c1400 (c1380) G. Chaucer tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. (BL Add. 10340) (1868) v. pr. iv. l. 4781 Þe eye of intelligence..lookeþ ouer..þilk same symple forme of man þat is perdurably in þe deuyne þouȝt. 1530 Proper Dyaloge Gentillman & Husbandman (new ed.) sig. A.iv^v Loke ouer the hoole worlde to and fro. 1692 R. South 12 Serm. I. 558 Look over the whole Creation, and you shall see, that the Band or Cement that holds together all the Parts of this great and glorious Fabrick, is Gratitude. 1693 T. Creech tr. Juvenal Satires xiii. xv. 164 Look o're the present and the former time. 1735 D. Forbes Thoughts conc. Relig. 2 In looking over the whole animal creation one sees infinite variety of instincts. 1791 N.Y. Mag. Jan. 29/2 If we look over the geographical history of the world, we will find that no place ever had such commercial prospects, since the building of Alexandria in Egypt. 1827 J. Epps Internal Evid. Christianity deduced from Phrenol. i. 53 If I look over the earth, I behold much misery. 1882 A. Muir Lady Beauty iii. iv. 161 If one looks over one's life, it is surprising to notice how many mishaps..become on review matters of congratulation. 1923 Boys' Life Oct. 18/3 You will find, if you look over our great men of the past, that..they were generally good sportsmen in the finest sense of the term. 2005 T. L. Friedman World is Flat v. 231 If you look over the sweep of history, every time we had more trade, more communications, we had a big upswing in economic activity and standard of living. 2. intransitive. To inspect or peruse, esp. cursorily; to glance through the contents of (a book, etc.). ΘΚΠ society > communication > reading > [verb (intransitive)] > skim or browse browse1818 to look over ——1855 riffle1919 page1927 skim-read1931 skip-read1977 1529 T. More Supplyc. Soulys Ep. Ded. f. i^v Thys pore boke..whyche yt may please you..at your leysure to loke ouer. 1590 R. Greene tr. O. Rinaldi Royal Exchange sig. C3 In the day to looke ouer the Lecture he hath to reade. 1600 W. Shakespeare Midsummer Night's Dream iv. ii. 33 Euery man looke ore his part. For..our play is preferd. View more context for this quotation 1676 A. Marvell Mr. Smirke sig. D I looked over the Canons, the Rational, the Ceremonial, the Rubrick. 1769 Gardener's Kalendar 80/1 in Compl. Farmer (ed. 2) Look over your flowering plants. 1780 C. A. Burney Jrnl. 4 July in F. Burney Early Diary (1889) II. 288 My father and him next went to looking over the prints. 1819 W. Irving Sketch Bk. i. 10 I look over..the hints and memorandums I have taken down. 1855 Ld. Houghton Let. in T. W. Reid Life Ld. Houghton (1890) I. xi. 527 E. C. Gaskell asked me to come and look over Miss Brontë's papers. 1928 Rotarian Apr. 48/2 We spent the first part of the morning looking over the beautiful industrial city. 1951 M. Reynolds Case of Little Green Men 200 He walked over to the Vio-Box and looked over its selection. 2005 R. Horsfall Dancing on Thorns xxviii. 435 From time to time..doctors came to shine penlights into his eyes and to look over his notes. 3. intransitive. To pass over, ignore, overlook. Now rare. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > inattention > ignoring, disregard > ignore, disregard [verb (transitive)] > dismiss from consideration to put out of ——a1250 to lay awaya1400 to set asidec1407 to lay by1439 to lay asidec1440 to let (something) walkc1450 to set apart?1473 reject1490 seclude?1531 to let go1535 to put offc1540 to set by1592 sepose1593 to think away1620 to look over ——a1640 prescind1650 seposit1657 decognize1659 inconsider1697 to set over1701 shelf1819 sink1820 shelve1847 eliminate1848 to count out1854 discounta1856 defenestrate1917 neg1987 society > morality > duty or obligation > moral or legal constraint > immunity or exemption from liability > forgiveness > forgive [verb (transitive)] > specifically an offence forgiveOE atletc1200 to pass overa1425 sparea1425 remit1457 dispense1563 dismissa1616 condonate1656 condone1851 to look over ——1887 a1640 W. Fenner Divine Message to Elect Soul (1645) 89 The Lord winked at them, and did not so narrowly watch them, but looked over mens ignorance. 1666 J. Bunyan Grace Abounding ⁋38 Though I endeavoured at the first to look over the business of Faith. 1800 M. Edgeworth Castle Rackrent 13 She had Scotch blood in her veins, any thing else I could have looked over in her from a regard to the family. 1887 Murray's Mag. 2 425 He forgave her, and looked over her conduct. 1920 Educator-Jrnl. Dec. 228/2 I'll look over it this time 'cause that's jest like a Mother. 4. intransitive. Of God: to look after, take care of. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > care, protection, or charge > care for, protect, or have charge of [verb (transitive)] > take care of or look after yknowOE knowlOE to care forc1230 bihedec1250 beseec1300 to look to ——c1300 seea1325 await1393 observea1425 procurea1425 to look after ——1487 to take (also have) regard to (or of)a1500 regard1526 to see after ——1544 to look unto ——1545 attendc1572 to take care of1579 curea1618 tend1631 to look over ——1670 1670 W. Lucy Treat. Nature of Minister Ep. Ded. sig. 2^v Do you praise God daily for that, whose Providence invisibly looked over and protected you from those evils. a1796 R. Burns Poems & Songs* (1968) II. 505 Royal George, the Lord leuk o'er him! 1866 Dublin Rev. Aug. 226 Oh, may the Lord my God look over them. 1971 in A. Heilbut Gospel Sound xi. 207 I'm thankin' God for looking over me and my children one more week, for keeping Satan away, for stepping in when I needed him most. 2003 M. Odom Apocalypse Dawn xviii. 193 God, look over him. Keep him safe till I can get help here, or take him home with You if that's what You feel is best. to look through —— 1. intransitive. a. To direct one's gaze through (an opening or gap in a solid object, a window or other transparent body, an optical instrument, etc.). Also figurative: to perceive or understand the true nature of. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > inattention > ignoring, disregard > ignore, disregard [verb (transitive)] > allow to pass unnoticed to look through ——OE to let (something) overpassa1375 overpassa1382 unseea1395 forgoa1400 balkc1440 dissimulea1450 pass?c1475 dissemblea1500 dissimulatea1533 to wink at1535 nod1607 connive1641 beholdc1650 to wink against1653 to shut one's eyes to (also against, on)a1711 blink1742 the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (transitive)] > look through to look through ——?a1513 the mind > mental capacity > understanding > intelligence, cleverness > sharpness, shrewdness, insight > penetrate, discern [verb (transitive)] piercea1398 to look througha1525 insee1541 penetrate?1563 to see through ——1565 to look through ——1580 understand1587 to break through1597 fathom1633 unfathom1707 OE Blickling Homilies 93 Se heofon tobyrst from þæm eastdæle oþ þone westdæl; & þonne eall engla cynn lociaþ þurh þa ontynnesse on manna cynn. a1513 W. Dunbar Tua Mariit Wemen in Poems (1998) I. 41 Throw pykis of the plet thorne I presandlie luikit, Gif ony persoun wald approche. 1580 J. Lyly Euphues & his Eng. (new ed.) f. 34 Since your eyes are so sharpe, that you cannot onely looke through a Milstone, but cleane through the minde. a1616 W. Shakespeare Julius Caesar (1623) i. ii. 203 He lookes Quite through the Deeds of men. View more context for this quotation 1628 J. Earle Micro-cosmogr. x. sig. C5^v When you haue seene his outside, you haue lookt through him. 1709 R. Steele Tatler No. 44. ⁋5 The World is grown too wise, and can look through these thin Devices. 1723 E. Stone tr. N. Bion Constr. & Principal Uses Math. Instruments vii. ii. 204 Look thro the small Hole in the Sight-Vane. 1826 C. R. Williams Tour Island Jamaica xxii. 155 Nunnez still looked through the glass as he uttered this monologue. 1830 Ld. Tennyson Lilian 10 She, looking thro' and thro' me, Thoroughly to undo me, Smiling, never speaks. 1870 W. C. Bryant tr. Homer Iliad I. iv. 123 Why look through The spaces that divide the warlike ranks? 1914 Crisis Apr. 302/2 Looking through the window he saw this man lying dead. 1974 Jet 28 Mar. 4/2 As a divorced Black woman and mother, she can look through her curtain of sorrow with a hell of a lot more ease than most of us. 2009 O. Gentile Life List v. 123 The guide..looked through his binoculars. b. to look through one's (also the) fingers: to contrive or pretend not to see or notice something; (also) to see indistinctly. Also with at, upon.Somewhat rare after 18th cent. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > inattention > ignoring, disregard > ignore [verb (intransitive)] overhipa1325 to hide one's facea1382 to look aside1530 to look beside ——1533 not to hear on that side1548 to look through the fingers1549 to pull away the shoulder1560 connive1602 to turn a (also the) blind eye1698 to bury (or hide) one's head in the sand1844 Nelson eye1893 not to want to know1948 1549 H. Latimer 2nd Serm. before Kynges Maiestie 5th Serm. sig. Rviii They loke thorow ther fingers & wil not se it. 1550 M. Coverdale tr. O. Werdmueller Spyrytuall & Precyouse Pearle xx. sig. Hv^v As thoughe God must..loke thorowe the fyngers vpon the wicked world. 1579 S. Gosson Schoole of Abuse f. 6^v To shew you that..which I see in a cloude, loking through my fingers. 1623 T. Scott Exod. viii. 19 42 Couetousnesse and commoditie will..make euen good men looke through their fingers. 1681 E. Pearse Conformist's Plea for Nonconformists 35 He..could..look through his Fingers, and suffer a worthy Non-conformist to preach publickly very near him. 1695 T. Houghton Alteration of Coyn (new ed.) 12 The Spanish Governours have been inclinable to look through their Fingers, that a Stol'n Trade might be had with the Spaniards. 1713 J. Barker Love Intrigues 8 My vigilant Aunt..(as the Proverb is) look'd through her Fingers. 1761 Impartial Enq. Conduct Late Minister 27 It may be good Policy, even in Princes, sometimes to look through their Fingers. 1832 Morning Chron. 1 Sept. The most absolute individual in private life must occasionally look through his fingers at many things. 1948 Christian Sci. Monitor 28 Dec. 10/3 We had to look through our fingers at such things. 1978 Guardian Weekly 29 Jan. 7/1 Because Somalia is now the enemy of the Soviet Union, we are prepared to look through our fingers at Somalia's invasion of Ethiopia. 2009 F. Becker in G. Blundo & P.-Y. Le Meur Governance Daily Life in Afr. 81 This pragmatic approach, where looking through one's fingers was an essential virtue. †c. colloquial or slang. In various expressions referring to death by hanging, as to look through a hempen window (cf. hempen adj. 1b). Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > authority > punishment > capital punishment > hanging > be hanged [verb (intransitive)] rideeOE hangc1000 anhangc1300 wagc1430 totter?1515 to wave in the windc1515 swing1542 trine1567 to look through ——?1570 to preach at Tyburn cross1576 stretch?1576 to stretch a rope1592 truss1592 to look through a hempen window?a1600 gibbet1600 to have the lift1604 to salute Tyburn1640 to dance the Tyburn jig1664 dangle1678 to cut a caper on nothing1708 string1714 twist1725 to wallop in a tow (also tether)1786 to streek in a halter1796 to straight a ropea1800 strap1815 to dance upon nothing1837 to streek a tow1895 ?1570 T. Preston Lamentable Trag. Cambises sig. D.ij^v If ye be taken Cosin, ye must looke through a rope. ?a1600 Marriage Wit & Wisdom (1846) iii. 28 If we should chance to looke through an hemp Windowe, and our arse brake our necke. 1627 J. Taylor Armado sig. A5 Making their wils at Wapping, or looking through a hempen window at St. Thomas Waterings. 1668 F. Kirkman Eng. Rogue II. ix. sig. G3 Such a parcel of Canary-birds as well deserved to look through a Hempen casement at the three corner'd tenement in the high-way betwixt London and Padington. d. To pretend not to see, to ignore deliberately. Frequently with intensifying adverb, as to look right (or straight) through (a person). ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > inattention > ignoring, disregard > ignore, disregard [verb (transitive)] fordita800 forheedc1275 forget1297 to let out ofa1300 spele1338 to go beside ——a1382 waivec1400 remiss?a1425 to go by ——?c1450 misknowledge?a1475 misknow1483 misken1494 to go besides ——1530 to let pass1530 unregard1545 unmind1562 overlook1570 mislippen1581 suspend1581 omit1589 blanch1605 to blow off1631 disregard1641 to pass with ——1641 to give (a person or thing) the go-by1654 prescind1654 nihilify1656 proscribe1680 unnotice1776 ignore1795 to close one's mind1797 cushion1818 to leave out in the cold1839 overslaugh1846 unheed1847 to write off1861 to look through ——1894 scrub1943 the world > action or operation > behaviour > bad behaviour > discourtesy > treat discourteously [verb (transitive)] > treat with lack of affability > refuse to recognize cut1634 to look through ——1894 1894 C. Garvice Queen Kate viii. 61 She just looked through him with shining eyes, then returned to her book. 1906 National Mag. June 282/2 Next day he just looked through me like I warn't there. 1942 J. Grenfell Let. 29 Mar. in Darling Ma (1989) 343 She said the people who came there now were a disgrace. Just rich, no class at all. No manners... Looked right through her, they did, and it wasn't right for such people to be in a place like the Carlton Grill! 1973 G. Mitchell Murder of Busy Lizzie ii. 26 Clothilde's straight-laced mamma boycotted Eliza..and Clothilde..looked straight through the poor woman. 2007 Esquire Oct. 128/1 Assuming he doesn't look straight through you, stick to ass-kicking small talk. 2. intransitive. To direct one's gaze over the whole of (something) or to every one of (a group or set of things); to peruse the contents of, esp. cursorily; to glance through (a book, etc.); to search through. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (transitive)] > scan or look over to look through ——?1536 to run over ——1555 overcast1570 to run over1571 pervise1577 transview1602 scour1909 society > communication > reading > [verb (transitive)] > from beginning to end > in a cursory manner to look through ——1858 ?1536 W. Marshall Luther's Images Verye Chrysten Bysshop sig. k.vii Thus must they nedes be cast downe....which do brenne the bokes whiche they neuer sawe, nor loked through. 1565 A. Golding tr. Ovid Fyrst Fower Bks. Metamorphosis ii. f. 2^v Looke through the world so round..aske what thou likest best. 1633 J. Ford 'Tis Pitty shee's Whore i. sig. B ^v Looke through the world, And thou shalt see a thousand faces shine More glorious, then this Idoll thou ador'st. 1733 A. Pope Ess. Man i. 25 Of this vast Frame the Bearings, and the Ties,..And Centres just, has thy pervading Soul Look'd thro'? 1774 O. Goldsmith Hist. Earth IV. 64 If we look through the different ranks of animals, from the largest to the smallest. 1858 T. B. Macaulay in G. O. Trevelyan Life & Lett. Macaulay (1876) II. xiv. 452 I looked through ——'s two volumes. 1865 Cornhill Mag. May 554 Being in want of a horse at the time..I looked through the advertisements in The Times, and noticed one which at any rate promised well. 1915 A. S. Neill Dominie's Log iii. 38 I look through a school-history, and I find that emphasis is laid on incident. 1975 R. Butler Where all Girls are Sweeter ii. 17 I looked through his record racks... There was a nice mixture from Bach to Vivaldi. 1996 Ancestry Jan. 20/1 I didn't have the time (and it would have taken days) to look through the mounds of boxed papers stacked against the walls in his library. 2003 London Rev. Bks. 21 Aug. 5/2 I'd looked through books like John Rechy's City of Night that my brother had lying around. †3. intransitive. To be visible or apparent through. Obsolete.Cf. quot. 1600 for to look through 2 at Phrasal verbs 1. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > visibility > be or make visible [verb (transitive)] > be visible through to look through ——1604 1604 W. Shakespeare Hamlet iv. vii. 124 That our drift looke through our bad performance, Twere better not assayd. View more context for this quotation a1616 W. Shakespeare Taming of Shrew (1623) Induct. ii. 11 Such shooes as my toes looke through the ouer-leather. View more context for this quotation to look to —— Cf. senses 1, 4, 6, and to prep. 1. intransitive. To turn one's gaze towards; to cast a look or glance to. Also occasionally figurative.Now chiefly with reference to a specified direction, or region of space, etc., than a particular person or object. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (transitive)] > look at or behold to look to ——eOE showeOE lookeOE lookOE behold971 beseec1000 seeOE to see on ——OE yseeOE yseeOE belookc1175 to look against ——c1225 to lay eyes onc1230 biwaita1250 holde1303 aseea1325 to see upon ——a1350 rewardc1350 to look of ——?c1400 eyea1425 visage1450 aviewa1513 gove1513 regard1523 to look unto ——1545 respect1567 survise1600 aspect1610 reflect1611 inspeculate1694 spectate1709 to look for ——1786 deek1825 lookit1908 lamp1916 the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (transitive)] > look in specific direction to look unto ——a1400 respect1555 to look to ——1604 eOE tr. Bede Eccl. Hist. (Tanner) iii. xix. 244 Þa onbrægd se his geþofta & locade to him [L. respexit eum], & þus cwæð: Eala broðor Ecgberht..hwæt dydest þu? OE Blickling Homilies 187 Þa locode Petrus to Paule & cwæþ, ‘Rære up þin heafod.’ a1200 MS Trin. Cambr. in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1873) 2nd Ser. 121 (MED) He lokeð nu fro heuene to us, and seð þat we..turnen fro his hese. c1300 Havelok (Laud) (1868) l. 2136 (MED) Þe knithes þouth of hem god gamen Hem forto shewe and loken to. c1480 (a1400) St. Mary of Egypt 356 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 306 Þane stud þe monk..to þe erde lukand. 1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) iv. 321 Than lukit [1489 Adv. lukyt] he awfully thame to. 1544 A. Cope Hist. Anniball & Scipio xx. f. 29 He withdrew the eies of his ennemies from lokyng to that place of embusshement. ?1587 A. H. tr. J. Guillemeau Worthy Treat. Eyes (new ed.) iii. i. sig. D6 The negligence of the Nurce..which maketh the children looking to the light to turne the eie on the side to it. 1604 W. Shakespeare Hamlet i. iv. 55 + 3 The very place puts toyes of desperation..into euery braine That lookes so many fadoms to the sea And heares it rore beneath. 1611 Bible (King James) 1 Sam. xvi. 12 He was..of a beautifull countenance, and goodly to looke to . View more context for this quotation 1660 Bp. J. Taylor Ductor Dubitantium I. ii. iii. 464 He that thinks he serves God by looking to the East when he prayes..is a superstitious man. 1734 D. Hume Let. Mar. (1932) I. 12 Not being acquainted with the hand-writing, you will probably look to the bottom to find the Subscription. 1786 F. Burney Court Jrnls. & Lett. (2011) I. 305 I look to the Music Books, to see what's coming. 1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps i. xviii. 123 We looked to the sky at intervals. 1893 Amer. Naturalist 27 70 They looked to the west and saw a black wave coming. 1988 D. Hogan Lebanon Lodge 91 Fiachra entered the cathedral..stopped, and looked to the rose window. 2005 Sport Diver May 94/2 We all kept looking to the blue and were rewarded with a couple of passes by ancient green sea turtles. 2. intransitive. To direct one's attention to; to consider, regard. Also occasionally in biblical use: to regard with favour (cf. to look on —— 3 at Phrasal verbs 2). ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > favour > win favour with [verb (transitive)] > favour to let well ofc1330 favour1340 to take, accept, receive in greec1374 likea1393 smilec1400 to take agreea1425 agreec1450 to fawn on, upon1477 to bear good mind toa1516 to look upon ——c1515 to look on ——1540 vouchsafe1582 conceit1589 relish1594 to look to ——1611 impatronize1629 aspect1663 sympathize1828 to put one's money on1847 eOE King Ælfred tr. Gregory Pastoral Care (Hatton) (1871) xli. 299 To hwæm locige ic [L. ad quem respiciam] buton to ðæm eaðmodum? OE (Mercian) Rushw. Gospels: Matt. xxii. 16 Non est tibi cura de aliquo, non enim respicis ad personas hominum : nis ðe gemnis be ængum forþon þe þu ne locast to hadum monna. 1340 Ayenbite (1866) 89 Hy ssolden loki to hare zoþe uorbysne Ihesu crist. a1425 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Galba) l. 28877 Crist lukes noght to þe almus dede,..Bot efter gude will of þe gifer. a1569 A. Kingsmill Conf. containing Conflict with Satan 5 in Most Excellent & Comfortable Treat. (new ed.) (1578) Loke to thy former wayes what they have bene. 1580 Sir P. Sidney tr. Psalmes David xviii. vii I walk'd his [sc. God's] waies,..Still to his judgmentes look't. 1604 E. Grimeston tr. J. de Acosta Nat. & Morall Hist. Indies iii. iii. 126 Speaking..of the qualitie of the windes, we must..looke to the coastes or partes of the world from whence they proceede. 1611 Bible (King James) Isa. lxvi. 2 To this man will I looke, even to him that is poore and of a contrite spirit. View more context for this quotation 1660 H. Peters Dying Fathers last Legacy 1 There are so many Books Printed, looking to all Cases, which I have often Commended to you. 1783 Brief & Impartial Rev. State Great Brit. (ed. 2) 74 Let us now look to the candidates for power. 1796 E. Burke Two Lett. Peace Regicide Directory France ii. 153 If we look to our stock in the Eastern world, our most valuable and systematick acquisitions are made in that quarter. 1844 J. S. Mill Ess. 87 If we look only to the effects which are intended. 1891 Law Times 92 18/2 We incline to think that there will be an appeal,..looking to the terms of sect. 49 of the Judicature Act. 1928 C. Dawson Age of Gods p. xiv The dominant fashion is to look to the racial factor as the deus ex machina of the human drama. 1967 Life 27 Oct. 4/3 There is a danger in looking to it as any kind of solution. 2008 M. Feener in F. Trix et al. Muslim Voices & Lives in Contemp. World x. 145 Pak Koesnoe looked to such things with a view to understanding what they did to establish and maintain harmony and social justice. 3. intransitive. a. To depend upon, have trust in; to rely on (a person, etc.) for something, or to do something. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > attention > take notice of, heed [verb (transitive)] > direct attention, thought, etc. lookeOE i-thenchec897 to look to ——OE send?c1420 to look upon ——c1515 to look unto ——1526 face1630 turn1842 the mind > mental capacity > expectation > hope > confident hope, trust > trust in, rely on [verb (transitive)] to set one's heart on (also (in)c825 littenc1175 leanc1230 fie1340 trusta1382 resta1393 reappose1567 repose1567 lite1570 rely1574 to set (up) one's rest1579 rely1606 to look back1646 recumba1677 to pin one's faith (also hope, etc.) on (also to) a person's sleeve1791 to look to ——1807 bank1884 OE Old Eng. Martyrol. (Julius) 22 Aug. (2013) 164 Loca to þam ðe on heofonum ricsaþ. a1225 (c1200) Vices & Virtues (1888) 115 (MED) Alle hie..to ðe lokið, all hwat ðu send hem sume aliesendnesse. 1566 T. Becon New Postil ii. f. 8^v Obeye not the deuill and the fleshe, but looke to God and his will. 1582 R. Browne Life & Manners all True Christians (new ed.) li. sig. D3^v/1 The weaker churches seeke helpe of the stronger..: or else the stronger looke to them for redresse. 1611 Bible (King James) Ecclus. xxxiv. 15 Blessed is the soule of him that feareth the Lord: to whom doeth he looke? View more context for this quotation 1691 D. Williams Vanity Childhood & Youth 88 Look to me for help, for there's help no where else. 1726 J. Barker Lining of Patch-work Screen 193 He told the People of the House, that they must look to me for payment of the Lodgings. 1807 Parl. Deb. 1st Ser. 8 217 ‘Man and steel, the soldier and the sword’, were the only productions of a country that could be looked to with confidence for its protection and security. 1885 Law Times Rep. 53 226/2 The consignee is the person to whom a carrier looks for the price of the carriage of goods. 1892 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. 151 220/2 I look to you to help us. 1955 D. Webb Deadline for Crime iii. 52 Provincial police forces looked to him for help when they wanted their towns cleared of the ‘whiz mob’, as English pickpockets are known in the underworld. 2008 Time Out N.Y. 19 June 42/4 Look to your neighbors for suggestions—we like the smooth, dry urakasumi paired with snacks like pickled squid and rice crackers. b. To look forward to; to expect, count upon, or aim at. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > expectation > expect [verb (transitive)] weenOE weenc1000 thinklOE lookc1225 hopec1330 trusta1387 wait onc1390 supposea1393 to wait after ——1393 to look after ——c1400 thinkc1480 attend1483 suppone1490 expect1535 to expect for1538 aspect1548 respect1549 look1560 ween1589 attend1591 propose1594 await1608 to presume on, upon, or of1608 to look forwards1637 prospect1652 to look for ——a1677 augur1678 anticipate1749 to look to ——1782 spect1839 contemplate1841–8 to look forward1848 eye1979 the mind > mental capacity > expectation > expect [verb (transitive)] > rely on to presume on, upon, or of?a1475 reckon1547 lot1633 compute1674 count1711 to look to ——1782 to bargain for1801 calculate1802 to figure on or upon1904 the mind > mental capacity > expectation > expect [verb (transitive)] > look to someone to wait on ——1682 to look to ——1824 1782 W. Cowper Table Talk in Poems 495 A terrible sagacity informs The poet's heart, he looks to distant storms, He hears the thunder ere the tempest lowers. 1804 Duke of Wellington Dispatches (1835) II. 407 The French have never ceased to look to the re-establishment of their power. 1824 Examiner 108/1 Baron Gifford..looks to the Seals, when Lord Eldon retires. 1844 J. H. Stocqueler Hand-bk. India 47 Clerkships in the public offices is the line of employment which the body of them look to. 1963 P. Colum Thomas Muskerry (new ed.) in Three Plays 136 It is not what I was looking to. 1986 Times 1 Dec. 23/6 Before the issue price was set, many analysts were looking to a price of 130p. 2008 Church Times 22 Aug. 11/2 As a gay and partnered Anglican looking to a civil partnership and blessing next year, I am nearly exploding with frustration. 4. intransitive. Now archaic or colloquial. Cf. to see to —— at see v. Phrasal verbs 2. a. To take care of, look after, attend to, be concerned with. Cf. to look till —— at sense 3a.In early use spec. with reference to care of a sick or injured person. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > manner of action > care, carefulness, or attention > take care about [verb (transitive)] > see to or about yemec897 to look to ——c1300 attendc1315 seea1350 to see to ——a1382 attenda1400 await?c1430 to wait to ——c1440 to see unto ——a1470 intentc1500 visit?1518 to see after ——1544 to look unto ——1545 attend1611 to see about ——1710 the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > care, protection, or charge > care for, protect, or have charge of [verb (transitive)] > take care of or look after yknowOE knowlOE to care forc1230 bihedec1250 beseec1300 to look to ——c1300 seea1325 await1393 observea1425 procurea1425 to look after ——1487 to take (also have) regard to (or of)a1500 regard1526 to see after ——1544 to look unto ——1545 attendc1572 to take care of1579 curea1618 tend1631 to look over ——1670 the world > health and disease > healing > art or science of medicine > practice of healing art > practise the healing art [verb (transitive)] > tend the sick to look to ——a1450 norrya1450 watch1526 attendc1572 assist1664 nurse1751 nurse-tend1792 the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > care, protection, or charge > care for, protect, or have charge of [verb (transitive)] > take care of or look after > specifically a person > a sick person to look to ——a1450 c1300 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Otho) (1978) l. 11205 Ich þe wolle loke to, þat no king ne sal þe mis-do. c1350 Gregorius (Cleo.) (1914) l. 1088 An holy man..Þat dygne were þer to done [sc. to be made pope] And cristendome to loke to. a1450 Castle of Love (Bodl. Add.) (1967) 1659 And ȝe comforted me in prison eke, And loked to me when I was seke. 1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VI f. clij^v After the death of this prelate,..the affayres in Fraunce, were neither well loked to, nor [etc.]. 1548 H. Latimer Notable Serm. sig. B.iii Ye that be prelates loke well to your offyce. 1611 Bible (King James) Jer. xxxix. 12 Take him, and looke well to him, and doe him no harme. View more context for this quotation a1616 W. Shakespeare Comedy of Errors (1623) v. i. 415 Come go with vs, wee'l looke to that anon. View more context for this quotation 1702 J. Savage Antient & Present State Germany viii. 208 In the Hunting-House..are Fifteen Bears very well provided for, and look'd to. 1840 W. M. Thackeray Paris Sketch Bk. I. 294 Mother would never let me leave her, because I looked to my little brothers. 1864 C. Dickens Our Mutual Friend (1865) I. ii. vii. 232 The yard gate-lock should be looked to, if you please; it don't catch. 1936 D. Barnes Nightwood ii. 52 No man needs curing of his individual sickness, his universal malady is what he should look to. 1983 R. K. Narayan Tiger for Malgudi 115 Each was looking to his own safety and escape. b. In imperative, or in the context of a warning: to concern oneself with (someone or something), as requiring protection, maintenance, improvement, etc. to look to one's laurels: see laurel n.¹ 2c. to look to one's hits: see hit n. 3b. ΚΠ 1486 J. Mirk's Liber Festiuall (Rood & Hunte) sig. riv^v/2 She callid to the norse and seide loke to the childe. 1525 in B. Cusack Everyday Eng. 1500–1700 (1998) 108 Looke well to yo^r awn seruauntis for the kepe noughty ruele. 1597 W. Shakespeare Richard II v. iii. 37 My leige beware, looke to thy selfe. View more context for this quotation 1602 2nd Pt. Returne fr. Parnassus iv. ii. 1880 Fellow looke to your braines; you are mad. 1630 J. Hales Let. conc. Weapon-salve 23 Nov. 281 in Golden Remains (1673) The Refuter must be sure to look to the strength of his reasons. 1721 J. Kelly Compl. Coll. Scotish Prov. 238 Love your Friend, but look to your self. 1797 A. Radcliffe Italian I. vii. 180 Look to your steps! 1813 P. B. Shelley Queen Mab iv. 57 Look to thyself, priest, conqueror, or prince. 1889 C. Smith Repentance Paul Wentworth II. v. 118 Then look to your own ways and manners, sir! 1926 People's Home Jrnl. Feb. 26/3 If you are inclined to ‘cold sores’ or ‘fever blisters’—those most disfiguring and often painful afflictions—look to your diet. 1974 B. Friel Freedom of City in Sel. Plays (1984) 123 Michael: Five children? Lily: Five? God look to your wit! Eleven, young fella. Eight boys and three girls. 2000 D. Adebayo My Once upon Time (2001) iv. 75 Look to your woman, star. If she your woman. c. to look to it: to be careful, take heed, beware. In later use chiefly with following clause: to take care, make sure, see that. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > manner of action > care, carefulness, or attention > caution > be cautious or take care [verb (intransitive)] warea1000 biwaitc1456 to look to it1548 to look out?1553 to play safe1601 to be on the sure side1668 to mind out1823 to keep one's powder dry1837 to play it safe1873 to have a care1876 to watch it1916 to watch (or mind) one's step1934 1548 P. Nicolls Godly Newe Story sig. B.viii Loke to yt (O ye Magystrates) for ryght sharpe iudgement shalbe done on these y^t be in auctorite. a1616 W. Shakespeare As you like It (1623) iii. i. 4 Looke to it, Finde out thy brother wheresoere he is. View more context for this quotation 1672 Duke of Buckingham Rehearsal i. 10 Thun. Let the Critiques look to 't. Light. Let the Ladies look to 't. a1701 H. Maundrell Journey Aleppo to Jerusalem (1703) 30 And they have reason to look well to it. 1749 Merlinus Liberatus sig. C3 Let Honest Travellers, nay, and House-dwellers too, look to it, for they will find Highwaymen and Foot-padders very busy. 1842 Ld. Tennyson Dora in Poems (new ed.) II. 34 In my time a father's word was law, And so it shall be now for me. Look to't. 1892 Good Words May 292/1 She would look to it that they had a roof over their heads. 1917 Boys' Life Sept. 42/2 Look to it that you do not fall into his treacherous hands! 2008 E. Teller in Washington Times (Nexis) 18 Sept. a18 People in general must make the decisions, and we scientists must look to it that people understand what they are deciding about. †5. intransitive. To keep watch upon, guard. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > vigilance > keeping watch > keep watch on [verb (transitive)] biwitieOE to look to ——c1330 watchc1330 to make or lay await onc1386 markc1400 to wait to ——c1440 to keep (also have) an (or one's) eye on (also upon)a1450 waken1535 to look unto ——1594 to carry a wary (also watchful, etc.) eye on (also upon)1596 to look after ——a1616 overwatch1618 snokea1652 to look up1855 surveil1960 c1330 Gregorius (Auch.) (1914) l. 988 (MED) Þe cardinals..bisouȝt god..Anholi man to vnder fo Þat digne were to ben in rome..And holi chirche loke to. c1540 (?a1400) Gest Historiale Destr. Troy (2002) f. 97 Lokis well to þe listis þat ne lede passe. 1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry V f. lviij^v His kepers looked more narowly to hym then thei did before. 1593 in W. H. Stevenson Rec. Borough Nottingham (1889) IV. 238 That all the alhousess of the back syd of the town may be loukte tow. 1634 T. Herbert Relation Some Yeares Trauaile 83 For two yeares hee [sc. a prisoner] was strictly lookt too. 1685 J. Jackson et al. Annot. Holy Bible II. sig. Pp4/2 You have substituted others in your rooms, made Officials, and Surrogates, and Curats to look to the Gates. 1752 J. Louthian Form of Process (ed. 2) 209 And then desires the Keeper to take A. B. the Prisoner from the Bar, and look to him, for he stands convicted of High Treason. 1801 M. Edgeworth Forester in Moral Tales I. 204 Constable, look to your prisoner. 1819 P. B. Shelley Cenci iv. iv. 73 Sound the alarm; Look to the gates that none escape! †6. intransitive. To tend towards, have a similarity with. Cf. to look toward —— 2 at Phrasal verbs 2. Obsolete. rare. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > relationship > relate to [verb (transitive)] > show affinity to to look to ——1835 1835 W. Kirby On Power of God in Creation of Animals II. xxiv. 514 The bear seems to look towards the sloth; and the feline race, in their whiskers and feet, look to the hares and rats. to look toward —— 1. intransitive. a. To direct one's sight in the direction of (something); to anticipate or consider. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (intransitive)] > look in specific direction to look toward ——c1225 to look towards ——1534 respect1555 to look ahead1805 c1225 (?c1200) St. Juliana (Royal) l. 548 Iuliane þe edie openede hire ehnen ant lokede [c1225 Bodl. biheold] toward him. a1250 Lofsong Louerde in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1868) 1st Ser. 211 Leoue louerd iesu crist loke toward me ase ich ligge lowe. a1350 in K. Böddeker Altengl. Dichtungen (1878) 200 Iesu,..wiþ þine suete eȝen loke towart me. c1475 tr. C. de Pisan Livre du Corps de Policie (Cambr.) (1977) 171 (MED) Whan all that othre loked into the est..he shulde loke toward the weste. 1550 J. Hooper Ouersight Jonas iv. f. lxxxv I wyll yet again loke toward thi holy temple. 1577 S. Batman Golden Bk. Leaden Goddes f. 18 The Three Graces were portraited naked with hand in hand, wherof two loked toward vs and the thyrd from vs. 1626 N. Breton Fantasticks sig. E2 The Milke-maids begin to looke toward their dayry. 1675 F. Fane Love in Dark ii. vii. 37 (stage direction) He stalks and looks toward Trivultio. 1745 J. Kirkby Capacity & Extent Human Understanding 213 Looking toward the Sea, I was greatly surprised to see an huge Body,..some Distance from the Land. 1798 Monthly Mirror June 333 Once more let me look toward the valley. 1848 Knickerbocker July 71 It is as if the voyager on the Hudson were to look toward the great range of the Catskills. 1878 J. D. Steele Physics 126 If we hold a small needle close to one eye and look toward the sun we see several needles. 1929 G. P. Merrill Minerals from Earth & Sky i. i. 1 It is only after sundown, and particularly when we look toward the Milky Way, that we begin to appreciate the vast number of bodies like our sun. 1982 Billboard 28 Aug. 39/3 In the past I've had success producing..in what I feel was a more traditional style. Now I'm looking toward a new audience. 2007 K. H. Hemmings Descendants iii. xxx. 188 I look toward the beach to see if the boy caught the wave. b. colloquial (chiefly U.S.). to look toward (a person): to drink to a person's health. Chiefly as a toast, in I look toward you, here's looking toward you. Cf. to look towards —— 1b at Phrasal verbs 2, here's looking at you at Phrases 1a(h). Now rare. ΚΠ 1860 F. C. L. Wraxall Only Woman III. vii. 142 ‘I look toward you sir, and madam,’ he remarked parenthetically, as he took a huge swig of brandy and water. 1893 Atlanta Constit. 13 May 4/6 So, here's looking toward you, gentlemen. 1923 Boston Sunday Globe 30 Sept. 58/2 I looks toward you commander. 1940 Delphos (Ohio) Herald 7 Sept. Here's looking toward you! 2. intransitive. To tend, incline, or lead toward; to aim for. ΚΠ 1584 R. Cosin Answer to Two Fyrst & Principall Treat. xiii. 40 All the woords thereof looking toward this purpose any waie. 1631 J. Burges Lawfulnes of Kneeling in Receiving Lords Supper xxiv. 94 This answer looks toward the matter. a1658 O. Sedgwick Bowels of Tender Mercy (1661) ii. x. 552 Though it [sc. the hardening of the heart] be not absolute Apostacy, yet it looks toward it. 1796 J. P. Andrews Hist. Great Brit. II. viii. v. 169 That branch of sculpture which looks toward medals. 1846 Niles' National Reg. 25 Apr. 119/2 They neither take themselves nor advise us to take a single step which looks toward a preparation for war. 1881 University Palladium (Univ. Michigan) 23 15 In the spring of 1877 a movement was begun among the alumni looking toward the securing of a chapter house. 1932 T. J. Grayson Leaders & Periods Amer. Finance xiii. 278 The thing to do was to take no precipitate action looking toward resumption. 1974 Rotarian May 35/1 His museum..looks toward a larger role in the world community of art. 2002 L. M. Friedman Amer. Law in 20th Cent. xi. 342 The new law..looked toward a cap on Western Hemisphere immigrants. to look towards —— 1. intransitive. a. = to look toward —— 1a at Phrasal verbs 2. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (intransitive)] > look in specific direction to look toward ——c1225 to look towards ——1534 respect1555 to look ahead1805 1534 G. Gardynare Let. Yonge Gentylman f. x Streyght lokynge towardes it agayne, sawe the stone remoued. 1584 W. Warner Pan his Syrinx sig. C4^v Looking towards the sea, [we] remembred the burning of our ship. a1649 G. Abbott Brief Notes Psalms (1651) 155 Therefore will I..longingly and prayerfully look towards thine holy sanctuary. 1692 T. Taylor tr. G. Daniel Voy. World Cartesius ii. 170 He looked towards the Earth, to see what Hour it was. 1719 D. Defoe Life Robinson Crusoe 97 In the Morning looking towards the Sea-side,..I saw something lye on the Shore bigger than ordinary. 1787 J. Madison Notes Deb. Federal Convent. 17 Sept. in Papers (1840) III. 1624 Doctor Franklin, looking towards the President's chair, at the back of which a rising sun happened to be painted, observed [etc.] 1848 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. June 760/2 I looked towards the city, and, behold, a dark cloud had gathered over it! 1870 W. Bottrell Trad. & Hearthside Stories W. Cornwall 104 When I looked towards the door again there was nobody nor nothing there. 1919 Boys' Life Nov. 24/3 Wi' that, he looks towards his men. 1991 J. Alvarez How Garcia Girls lost their Accents i. i. 16 The little boy looks towards his grandmother, unsure of what to think. 2012 Independent 18 July 21/4 Looking towards the sky, he said he was just hoping for some good weather soon that he could harvest the crops he needs. b. colloquial. to look towards (a person): to drink to a person's health. Chiefly as a toast, in I look towards you, here's looking towards you. Cf. to look toward (a person) at Phrasal verbs 2, here's looking at you at Phrases 1a(h). Now rare. ΘΚΠ the world > food and drink > drink > drinking > [verb (intransitive)] > drink intoxicating liquor > drink toasts or healths hailc1275 to drink (a person's) hailc1325 to drink good lucka1529 pledge1546 carouse1583 skola1599 to drink off (or eat) candle-ends1600 health1628 to begin to a person1629 bumper1691 toast1699 to drink hob or nob, hob a nob1756 hob-nob1763 hobber-nob1800 to look towards (a person)1833 propine1887 ganbei1940 the world > food and drink > drink > drinking > [verb (transitive)] > drink intoxicating liquor > pledge or toast to drink to1530 pledge1546 brince?1567 brinks1568 carouse1583 dipa1657 toast1700 respect1708 bumper?1764 to look toward ——1833 propine1887 skol1935 ganbei1976 1833 New Sporting Mag. Feb. 253/2 I look towards you, sir; your health, Mr.——. 1848 W. M. Thackeray Vanity Fair liii. 475 The ladies drank to his 'ealth, and Mr. Moss, in the most polite manner ‘looked towards him’. 1854 ‘C. Bede’ Further Adventures Mr. Verdant Green (ed. 2) iii. 22 The Pet..drank their healths with the prefatory remark, ‘I looks to-wards you gents!’ 1890 B. L. Farjeon Myst. M. Felix I. iii. 26 Mrs. Middlemore,..you're a lady after my own heart... Here's looking towards you. 1910 A. Noyes Coll. Poems I. 241 I looks to-wards you, Prester John, you've done us very proud! 1938 Sunday Sun (Baltimore) 2 Oct. (This Week Mag.) 19/2 ‘Aggie May,’ said Emmeline, raising her glass, ‘I looks towards you.’ 2. intransitive. = to look toward —— 2 at Phrasal verbs 2. ΚΠ 1621 M. Wroth Countesse of Mountgomeries Urania ii. 259 No thought of my side tended, or looked towards ill. 1654 J. Owen Doctr. Saints Perseverance xv. 370 That which looketh towards the Argument under Consideration, appeareth first in Sect. 31. 1778 Gentleman's & London Mag. May 275/1 The house rejected an absentee tax, because it looked towards a land-tax. 1835 W. Kirby On Power of God in Creation of Animals II. xxiv. 514 The bear seems to look towards the sloth. 1879 A. W. Tourgée Fool's Errand xliv. 330 There could be nothing looking towards marriage between us. 1915 Michigan Alumnus Mar. 312/2 Steps will be taking looking towards a joint luncheon of alumni of Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Cornell and Michigan. 1972 New Scientist 4 May 252 Steelmen the world over are looking towards direct reduction as a means for turning iron ore into steel in the future. 2006 Y. Petrova in P. Nilan & C. Feixa Global Youth? 201 Pluri-ethnic-multicultural identities which look towards a genuinely multicultural world. to look unto —— Now archaic. intransitive. = to look to —— at Phrasal verbs 2 (in various senses).Frequently in Biblical language and uses alluding to this. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (transitive)] > look in specific direction to look unto ——a1400 respect1555 to look to ——1604 the mind > attention and judgement > attention > take notice of, heed [verb (transitive)] > direct attention, thought, etc. lookeOE i-thenchec897 to look to ——OE send?c1420 to look upon ——c1515 to look unto ——1526 face1630 turn1842 the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (transitive)] > look at or behold to look to ——eOE showeOE lookeOE lookOE behold971 beseec1000 seeOE to see on ——OE yseeOE yseeOE belookc1175 to look against ——c1225 to lay eyes onc1230 biwaita1250 holde1303 aseea1325 to see upon ——a1350 rewardc1350 to look of ——?c1400 eyea1425 visage1450 aviewa1513 gove1513 regard1523 to look unto ——1545 respect1567 survise1600 aspect1610 reflect1611 inspeculate1694 spectate1709 to look for ——1786 deek1825 lookit1908 lamp1916 the world > action or operation > manner of action > care, carefulness, or attention > take care about [verb (transitive)] > see to or about yemec897 to look to ——c1300 attendc1315 seea1350 to see to ——a1382 attenda1400 await?c1430 to wait to ——c1440 to see unto ——a1470 intentc1500 visit?1518 to see after ——1544 to look unto ——1545 attend1611 to see about ——1710 the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > care, protection, or charge > care for, protect, or have charge of [verb (transitive)] > take care of or look after yknowOE knowlOE to care forc1230 bihedec1250 beseec1300 to look to ——c1300 seea1325 await1393 observea1425 procurea1425 to look after ——1487 to take (also have) regard to (or of)a1500 regard1526 to see after ——1544 to look unto ——1545 attendc1572 to take care of1579 curea1618 tend1631 to look over ——1670 the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > vigilance > keeping watch > keep watch on [verb (transitive)] biwitieOE to look to ——c1330 watchc1330 to make or lay await onc1386 markc1400 to wait to ——c1440 to keep (also have) an (or one's) eye on (also upon)a1450 waken1535 to look unto ——1594 to carry a wary (also watchful, etc.) eye on (also upon)1596 to look after ——a1616 overwatch1618 snokea1652 to look up1855 surveil1960 a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 14333 Iesus he loked vnto þe lift. 1526 Bible (Tyndale) Heb. xii. 2 Lokynge vnto [Gk. ἀφορῶντες εἰς] Iesus, the auctor and fynnyssher of oure fayth. 1545 T. Raynald & R. Jonas in tr. E. Roesslin Byrth of Mankynde iv. sig. Y.v^v In a fayre garden..if it be not regarded and loken vnto, the weedes..wyll defourme and emperysshe the good grace of them. 1594 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 2 i. i. 208 Come sonnes away and looke vnto the maine. 1611 Bible (King James) Isa. xlv. 22 Looke vnto mee, and be ye saued. View more context for this quotation 1642 C. Vernon Considerations Excheqver 88 Abuses..will grow like ill weeds..unlesse they be looked unto and weeded out. 1710 B. Jenks tr. R. F. R. Bellarmino Ouranography v. vii. 244 There's Nothing so Animates and Heartens us on, as Looking unto Jesus. 1793 J. Lathrop Serm. Var. Subj. I. viii. 122 Look unto Christ, and be saved. 1835 T. Aird in Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. Feb. 187 Majestic men who looked unto the skies. 1879 R. Browning Dramatic Idyls 128 ‘Look unto me and be ye saved!’ saith God. 1961 Ebony Dec. 139/1 However low man may sink in the scale, he tends to look unto the hills from whence cometh his help. 2010 Marketing (Nexis) 10 Mar. 12 Foundem..should take Marcus Aurelius' advice and look unto itself before blaming others for its own failure. to look upon —— 1. intransitive. With adverb (formerly also adjective) complement or phrase: to regard with a specified expression, or with a specified feeling or attitude; = to look on —— 1 at Phrasal verbs 2. ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > aspects of emotion > emotional attitude > hold, entertain, or cherish (a feeling) [verb (transitive)] > entertain a feeling towards to look on ——lOE owea1375 to look upon ——c1405 c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer Man of Law's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 997 He looked bisily Vp on this child. c1475 Babees Bk. (Harl. 5086) (2002) i. 3 (MED) And yf they speke withe yow..Withe stable Eye loke vpone theym Rihte. 1573 J. Sanford tr. L. Guicciardini Garden of Pleasure f. 17^v The Cortizan..looked vppon hym wyth shewe and countenaunce of meruayle. 1594 L. Twyne tr. Patterne Painefull Aduentures ii. sig. B3 He looked vpon him with a wrathfull countenance. 1619 T. Middleton Inner-Temple Masque sig. A3^v Fishstreete loues me, e'en but from teeth outward, (The neerest Kin I haue) lookes shye vpon me. a1640 P. Massinger Guardian iv. ii. 93 in 3 New Playes (1655) I look with sore eyes upon her good fortune, And wish it were mine own. 1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 37. ¶5 I look upon her with a mixture of Admiration and Pity. 1740 tr. C. de F. de Mouhy Fortunate Country Maid I. 271 I fancied he look'd something sweet upon me. 1847 F. Marryat Children of New Forest II. xi. 234 Edward was..satisfied that he was not quite looked upon with indifference by Patience Heatherstone. 1864 Ld. Tennyson Enoch Arden in Enoch Arden, etc. 4 And all men look'd upon him favourably. 1905 Med. News (N.Y.) 14 Jan. 85/2 Post menopause bleeding must be looked upon..with some suspicion of the presence of cancer. 1967 R. Silverberg Voyagers in Time p. x Among some modern science-fiction writers, stories of time-travel are looked upon with faint disdain, because they are not really ‘scientific’. 2011 N.Y. Rev. Bks. 26 May 35/4 The Karmapa..is unique in that both Beijing and the Dalai Lama look upon him favorably. 2. intransitive. To regard, pay heed to; esp. to regard with favour, hold in esteem. Cf. to look on —— 3 at Phrasal verbs 2. Now rare (English regional in later use). ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > [verb (transitive)] haveeOE weenc1000 praisec1250 setc1374 set by1393 endaunt1399 prizec1400 reverencec1400 tender1439 repute1445 to have (also make, take) regard to or that1457 to take, make, set (no) count of (upon, by)c1475 pricec1480 to make (great, etc.) account (also count, esteem, estimation, reckoning, regard, store) of1483 force1509 to look upon ——c1515 to have (also hold) in estimationc1522 to make reckoning of1525 esteem1530 regard1533 to tell, make, hold, set (great, little, no) store of1540 value1549 to make dainty of (anything)1555 reckon1576 to be struck on1602 agrade1611 respect1613 beteem1627 appreciate1648 to put, set (an) esteem, a high, low esteem upon1665 to think small beer of1816 to think the world of1826 existimate1847 reckon1919 rate1973 the mind > attention and judgement > attention > take notice of, heed [verb (transitive)] > direct attention, thought, etc. lookeOE i-thenchec897 to look to ——OE send?c1420 to look upon ——c1515 to look unto ——1526 face1630 turn1842 the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > favour > win favour with [verb (transitive)] > favour to let well ofc1330 favour1340 to take, accept, receive in greec1374 likea1393 smilec1400 to take agreea1425 agreec1450 to fawn on, upon1477 to bear good mind toa1516 to look upon ——c1515 to look on ——1540 vouchsafe1582 conceit1589 relish1594 to look to ——1611 impatronize1629 aspect1663 sympathize1828 to put one's money on1847 c1515 in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eng. Hist. (1846) 3rd Ser. I. 181 Yf yt had nott ben lokyd upon betymes, I suppose yt wold not have ben abull to have contynuyd a Monastery ffower yeres. 1533 T. Cromwell Let. 9 July in R. B. Merriman Life & Lett. T. Cromwell (1902) I. 357 For lacke..whereof ye haue forfaited to the kinges highnes the Somme of one thousande markes which..ye ought substaunciallye to loke uppon for the king is no person to be deluded..with all. 1533 J. Gau tr. C. Pedersen Richt Vay 101 God hes lukit apone ye powerte of his madine or seruand. 1611 Bible (King James) 2 Macc. vii. 6 The Lord God looketh vpon vs. View more context for this quotation 1802 M. M. Sherwood Susan Gray 48 You are such a dowdy, such a country Joan, no one will look upon you. 1887 W. D. Parish & W. F. Shaw Dict. Kentish Dial. Look upon, to favour, to regard kindly. ‘He's bin an ole sarvent, and therefore I dessay they look upon 'im.’ 3. intransitive. a. To regard as being something specified. Also: †to consider to be something specified; also with noun complement (obsolete). Cf. to look on —— 2 at Phrasal verbs 2. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > judgement or decision > evaluation, estimation, appraisal > appraise, estimate [verb (transitive)] > consider to be, account as telleOE talec897 seeOE letc1000 holdc1200 reckon1340 aima1382 accounta1387 counta1387 judgec1390 takea1400 countc1400 receivec1400 existimatec1430 to look on ——?c1430 makec1440 reputea1449 suppose1474 treatc1485 determinea1513 recount?c1525 esteem1526 believe1533 estimate?1533 ascribe1535 consider1539 regard1547 count1553 to look upon ——1553 take1561 reck1567 eye?1593 censure1597 subscribe1600 perhibit1613 behold1642 resent1642 attributea1657 fancy1662 vogue1675 decount1762 to put down1788 to set down1798 rate1854 have1867 mean1878 1553 J. Bradford Let. 4 July in M. Coverdale Certain Lett. Martyrs (1564) 331 This should we looke vppon as a sygne of gods anger procured by our synnes. 1609 T. Cooper Churches Deliv. i. 19 Thus wiues are kept fasting, to be lookt vppon as babies. 1662 E. Stillingfleet Origines Sacræ iii. ii. 443 Both Pythagoras and Plato looked upon constitutionem sylvæ to bee opus providentiæ. 1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 191. ⁋7 This Morning..I set up an Equipage which I look upon to be the gayest in the Town. 1727 ‘S. Brunt’ Voy. to Cacklogallinia 12 An old Woman, whom they look'd upon a Prophetess. 1756 C. Lucas Ess. Waters i. 151 The antients looked upon water as the..first principle of all created things. 1822 Examiner 31 Mar. 203/1 You are looked upon as a kind lord. 1860 Harper's Mag. Apr. 630/1 A wife who does not look upon him merely as a money-machine. 1903 Independent 12 Nov. 2663/1 The mass of voters look upon him as a ‘silk stocking’—as one who neither understands nor sympathizes with their life. 1961 Amateur Gardening 14 Oct. 19/3 Nerines are often looked upon as bulbs to grow in favoured gardens. 2002 R. Menschel Markets, Mobs & Mayhem p. xix Investors should have looked upon it as an opportunity to buy true value. b. to look upon it: to be of the opinion that something is the case. Now rare. ΚΠ 1672 tr. P. de Clérembault Conversations vi. 142 I look upon it [Fr. ie regarde], that these Princes debase rather than exalt themselves, in affecting such a Grandeur. 1681 Triall H. Carr 19 He alwayes looked upon it that all did come from Carr. 1744 J. Randall Syst. Geogr. ii. xxxi. 656 The Civil Government concur, looking upon it, that a Wife and Family are the surest Pledges of a Man's Fidelity. 1793 J. Smeaton Narr. Edystone Lighthouse (ed. 2) §300 I now looked upon it that we might think ourselves secure. 1834 J. Morier Ayesha III. i. 10 I have always looked upon it that mercy, properly exercised by the hand of power, increases strength. 1884 Argosy May 392 She looked upon it that the girl was as good as married to one of these rich and desirable men. 1939 Weekly Irish Times 24 June 15/2 They looked upon it that they were answerable for the mode in which they used the gifts which God had given them. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2015; most recently modified version published online June 2022). < n.a1200v.eOE
随便看	reorchestrations reordain reordained reordaining reordains reorder reordered reordering reorders reordi reordinate reordination reordinations reorg reorganisation reorganisations reorganise reorganised reorganiser reorganisers reorganises reorganising reorganization reorganizational reorganizationist

lookn.

Phrases

lookv.

Phrases

Phrasal verbs