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.
   • c. 1596-97, William Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice, Act II scene i^[1]:

     […] 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, Picador, paperback edition, 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.

Anagrams

• outrates, sea trout, seatrout, torteaus