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.
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   2. To direct the attention (to something); to consider; to
      examine; as, to look at an action.
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   3. To seem; to appear; to have a particular appearance; as,
      the patient looks better; the clouds look rainy.
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            It would look more like vanity than gratitude.
                                                  --Addison.
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            Observe how such a practice looks in another person.
                                                  --I. Watts.
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   4. To have a particular direction or situation; to face; to
      front.
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            The inner gate that looketh to north. --Ezek. viii.
                                                  3.
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            The east gate . . . which looketh eastward. --Ezek.
                                                  xi. 1.
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   5. In the imperative: see; behold; take notice; take care;
      observe; -- used to call attention.
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            Look, how much we thus expel of sin, so much we
            expel of virtue.                      --Milton.
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   Note: Look, in the imperative, may be followed by a dependent
         sentence, but see is oftener so used.
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               Look that ye bind them fast.       --Shak.
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               Look if it be my daughter.         --Talfourd.
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   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.
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            My toes look through the overleather. --Shak.
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   7. To await the appearance of anything; to expect; to
      anticipate.
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            Looking each hour into death's mouth to fall.
                                                  --Spenser.
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   {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.
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                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.
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                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.
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            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.
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                Her friends would look on her the worse.
                                                  --Prior.
      (b) To consider; to view; to conceive of; to think of.
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                I looked on Virgil as a succinct, majestic
                writer.                           --Dryden.
      (c) To be a mere spectator.
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                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.
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