Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Stare \Stare\, n. [AS. st[ae]r. See {Starling}.] (Zo["o]l.)
   The starling. [Obs.]

Stare \Stare\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {stared}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {staring}.] [AS. starian; akin to LG. & D. staren, OHG.
   star[=e]n, G. starren, Icel. stara; cf. Icel. stira, Dan.
   stirre, Sw. stirra, and G. starr stiff, rigid, fixed, Gr. ?
   solid (E. stereo-), Skr. sthira firm, strong. [root]166. Cf.
   {Sterile}.]
   1. To look with fixed eyes wide open, as through fear,
      wonder, surprise, impudence, etc.; to fasten an earnest
      and prolonged gaze on some object.

            For ever upon the ground I see thee stare.
                                                  --Chaucer.

            Look not big, nor stamp, nor stare, nor fret.
                                                  --Shak.

   2. To be very conspicuous on account of size, prominence,
      color, or brilliancy; as, staring windows or colors.

   3. To stand out; to project; to bristle. [Obs.]

            Makest my blood cold, and my hair to stare. --Shak.

            Take off all the staring straws and jags in the
            hive.                                 --Mortimer.

   Syn: To gaze; to look earnestly. See {Gaze}.

Stare \Stare\, v. t.
   To look earnestly at; to gaze at.

         I will stare him out of his wits.        --Shak.

   {To stare in the face}, to be before the eyes, or to be
      undeniably evident. ``The law . . . stares them in the
      face whilst they are breaking it.'' --Locke.

Stare \Stare\, n.
   The act of staring; a fixed look with eyes wide open. ``A
   dull and stupid stare.'' --Churchill.

Source : WordNet®

stare
     n : a fixed look with eyes open wide

stare
     v 1: look at with fixed eyes; "The students stared at the teacher
          with amazement" [syn: {gaze}]
     2: fixate one's eyes; "The ancestor in the painting is staring
        down menacingly"