outstare

English

Etymology

out- +‎ stare

Verb

outstare (third-person singular simple present outstares, present participle outstaring, simple past and past participle outstared)

  1. (transitive) To stare at (someone) so hard or long that they look away.
    Synonym: stare out
    • c. 1596–1598 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Merchant of Venice”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene i]:
      […] I would outstare the sternest eyes that look,
      Outbrave the heart most daring on earth,
      Pluck the young sucking cubs from the she-bear,
      Yea, mock the lion when he roars for prey,
      To win thee, lady. […]
    • 2004, Colm Toibin, The Master, paperback edition, Picador, page 44:
      He held a tray but did not move from where he stood and managed, without any trace of emotion, to outstare Henry, who was standing in a group, half-listening to an anecdote.

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