stare

Etymology 1

From Middle English staren, from Old English starian (“to stare”), from Proto-West Germanic *starēn, from Proto-Germanic *starjaną, *starāną (“to be fixed, be rigid”), from Proto-Indo-European *ster-. Cognate with Dutch staren (“to stare”), German starren (“to stare”), German starr (“stiff”). More at start.

verb

1. (intransitive, followed by "at") To look fixedly (at something).
2. (transitive) To influence in some way by looking fixedly.
   to stare a timid person into submission
3. (intransitive) To be very conspicuous on account of size, prominence, colour, or brilliancy.
   staring windows or colours
4. (intransitive, obsolete) To stand out; to project; to bristle.
   Take off all the staring straws, twigs and jags in the hive. 1707, John Mortimer, The whole Art of Husbandry, in the way of Managing and Improving of Land

noun

1. A persistent gaze.
   the stares of astonished passers-by

Etymology 2

From Middle English star, ster, from Old English stær (“starling”), from Proto-Germanic *starô (“starling”), from Proto-Indo-European *stor- (“starling”). Cognate with German Star (“starling”), Danish stær (“starling”), Swedish stare (“starling”), Norwegian Nynorsk stare (“starling”), Icelandic stari (“starling”). Compare also Old English stearn (“a type of bird, starling”).

noun

1. (now archaic) A starling.