To look about

Look Look (l[oo^]k), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Looked}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Looking}.] [OE. loken, AS. l[=o]cian; akin to G. lugen, OHG. luog[=e]n.] 1. To direct the eyes for the purpose of seeing something; to direct the eyes toward an object; to observe with the eyes while keeping them directed; -- with various prepositions, often in a special or figurative sense. See Phrases below. [1913 Webster]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

6. To show one's self in looking, as by leaning out of a window; as, look out of the window while I speak to you. Sometimes used figuratively. [1913 Webster]

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

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

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

{To look about}, to look on all sides, or in different directions.

{To look about one}, to be on the watch; to be vigilant; to be circumspect or guarded.

{To look after}. (a) To attend to; to take care of; as, to look after children. (b) To expect; to be in a state of expectation. [1913 Webster]

Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth. --Luke xxi. 26. (c) To seek; to search. [1913 Webster]

My subject does not oblige me to look after the water, or point forth the place where to it is now retreated. --Woodward.

{To look at}, to direct the eyes toward so that one sees, or as if to see; as, to look at a star; hence, to observe, examine, consider; as, to look at a matter without prejudice.

{To look black}, to frown; to scowl; to have a threatening appearance. [1913 Webster]

The bishops thereat repined, and looked black. --Holinshed.

{To look down on} or {To look down upon}, to treat with indifference or contempt; to regard as an inferior; to despise.

{To look for}. (a) To expect; as, to look for news by the arrival of a ship. ``Look now for no enchanting voice.'' --Milton. (b) To seek for; to search for; as, to look for lost money, or lost cattle.

{To look forth}. (a) To look out of something, as from a window. (b) To threaten to come out. --Jer. vi. 1. (Rev. Ver.).

{To look forward to}. To anticipate with an expectation of pleasure; to be eager for; as, I am looking forward to your visit.

{To look into}, to inspect closely; to observe narrowly; to examine; as, to look into the works of nature; to look into one's conduct or affairs.

{To look on}. (a) To regard; to esteem. [1913 Webster]

Her friends would look on her the worse. --Prior. (b) To consider; to view; to conceive of; to think of. [1913 Webster]

I looked on Virgil as a succinct, majestic writer. --Dryden. (c) To be a mere spectator. [1913 Webster]

I'll be a candleholder, and look on. --Shak.

{To look out}, to be on the watch; to be careful; as, the seaman looks out for breakers.

{To look through}. (a) To see through. (b) To search; to examine with the eyes.

{To look to} or {To look unto}. (a) To watch; to take care of. ``Look well to thy herds.'' --Prov. xxvii. 23. (b) To resort to with expectation of receiving something; to expect to receive from; as, the creditor may look to surety for payment. ``Look unto me, and be ye saved.'' --Is. xlv. 22.

{To look up}, to search for or find out by looking; as, to look up the items of an account.

{To look up to}, to respect; to regard with deference. [1913 Webster]