Lŏŏk1, v. i.
(27), v. i. [imp. & p. p. LOOKED (lŏŏkt); p. pr. & vb. n. LOOKING.] [A-S. lōcian, Prov. Ger. lügen, luegen, M. H. Ger. luogen, O. H. Ger. luogen, luokēn, allied to Skr. lōk and lōtsh, to see.]
Sense 1. To direct the eye toward an object so as to see it; — with the prepositions to, at, on, after, for, and toward.
To look on, implies more of dignity or deliberation in the act of looking, than to look at; to look after, for, and toward, imply that the object is not present to the eye, but is to be sought for.
Sense 2. To direct the attention to; to consider; to examine; — with to, at, or on.
Sense 3. To make an effort to see; to take pains to keep the eye on; and hence, to search out; to wait for expectantly; — with after and for.
Look now for no enchanting voice. Milton.
Sense 4. To direct the eye into and beyond; hence, to penetrate; to solve, as a mystery; — with through.
Sense 5. To direct the gaze in all directions, or to all sides; to be circumspect; to watch; — with about.
Sense 6. To inspect closely; to observe narrowly; to examine; — with into.
Which things the angels desire to look into. 1 Pet. i. 12.
Sense 7. To examine one by one; to scrutinize; — with over; as, to look over accounts.
Sense 8. To seem; to appear; to have a particular appearance; as, the patient looks better than he did; the clouds look rainy.
I am afraid it would look more like vanity than gratitude. Addison.
Observe how such a practice looks in another person. Watts.
Sense 9. To have a particular direction or situation; to face; to front. “The inner gate that looketh toward the north.” Ezek. viii. 3. “The east gate of the Lord’s house, which looketh eastward.” Ezek. xi. 1.
Sense 10. In the imperative, see; behold; take notice; observe; — used to call attention.
Look, how much we thus expel of sin, so much we expel of virtue. Milton.
Sense 11. To await the appearance of any thing; to expect; to anticipate. “Looking each hour into death’s mouth to fall.” Spenser.
To look about, to look on all sides, or in different directions. — To look about one, to be on the watch; to be vigilant; to be circumspect or guarded. — To look after. (a.) To attend; to take care of; as, to look after children. (b.) To expect; to be in a state of expectation. “Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth.” Luke xxi. 26. (c.) To seek; to search. “My subject does not oblige me to look after the water, or point forth the place where it has now retreated.” Woodward. — To look down on, or upon, to treat with indifference or contempt.
He who surpasses or subdues mankind Must look down on the hate of those below. Byron.
— To look for. (a.) To expect; as, to look for news by the arrival of a ship. “Look now for no enchanting voice.” Milton. (b.) To seek; to search; as, to look for lost money, or lost cattle. — To look into, to inspect closely; to observe narrowly; to examine; as, to look into the works of nature; to look into the conduct of another; to look into one’s affairs. — To look on. (a.) To regard; to esteem. “Her friends would look on her the worse.” Prior. (b.) To consider; to view; to conceive of; to think. “I looked on Virgil as a succinct, majestic writer.” Dryden. (c.) To be a mere spectator. “I’ll be a candle-holder, and look on.” Shak. — To look out, to be on the watch; as, the seaman looks out for breakers. — To look to, or unto. (a.) To watch; to take care of. “Look well to thy herds.” Prov. xxvii. 23. (b.) To resort to with confidence or expectation of receiving something; to expect to receive from; as, the creditor may look to the surety for payment. “Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth.” Is. xlv. 22. — To look through, to penetrate with the eye, or with the understanding; to see or understand perfectly.