Look v. i. [imp. & p. p. Looked p. pr. & vb. n. Looking.]
 1. To direct the eyes for the purpose of seeing something; to direct the eyes toward an object; to observe with the eyes while keeping them directed; -- with various prepositions, often in a special or figurative sense. See Phrases below.
 2. To direct the attention (to something); to consider; to examine; as, to look at an action.
 3. To seem; to appear; to have a particular appearance; as, the patient looks better; the clouds look rainy.
    It would look more like vanity than gratitude.   --Addison.
    Observe how such a practice looks in another person.   --I. Watts.
 4. To have a particular direction or situation; to face; to front.
    The inner gate that looketh to north.   --Ezek. viii. 3.
    The east gate . . . which looketh eastward.   --Ezek. xi. 1.
 5. In the imperative: see; behold; take notice; take care; observe; -- used to call attention.
    Look, how much we thus expel of sin, so much we expel of virtue.   --Milton.
 Note: ☞ Look, in the imperative, may be followed by a dependent sentence, but see is oftener so used.
    Look that ye bind them fast.   --Shak.
    Look if it be my daughter.   --Talfourd.
 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.
    My toes look through the overleather.   --Shak.
 7. To await the appearance of anything; 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; 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 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.
    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.
    Her friends would look on her the worse.   --Prior.
 (b) To consider; to view; to conceive of; to think of.
    I looked on Virgil as a succinct, majestic writer.   --Dryden.
 (c) To be a mere spectator.
    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.