A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1499-1513, 1590-1614
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Stare, Stair, v. [ME and e.m.E. stare(n (c1250), staryn (Prompt. Parv.), OE starian, MLG, Du. staren, ON stara.] intr. a. To gaze fixedly (once, vpon something), chiefly as in astonishment, etc. b. To gaze, look around. c. transf. To concentrate one's attention on (something).a. a1500 King Hart 172.
In ane studie starand still thai stude 1513 Doug. vi i 66 (Ruddim.).
To stare and to deuise, Gouand on figuris, is not necessary, Mare nedeful now it war, but langare tary, [etc.] c1590 J. Stewart 19/165.
Sad sat he doune and stupifact … So stairing still he not ane vord expreimd c1590 J. Stewart 34/143.
All dririe … doutsum in deuyis … Scho stairing stands c1590 J. Stewart 87/259.
Staring still he stuid astonist … For vo almaist void of his vittis … Vith hawie fixit eis … Vpon the stone c1614 Mure Dido & Æneas ii 695.
With stedfast eyes he stair'd, And, obstinate, for answere thus prepar'db. 1513 Doug. i iii 56.
Neptune … Gretly commovit, out of the sey gan stair [Ruddim. stare]c. 1513 Doug. xiii Prol. 111.
That I haue my tyme mysspendit, So lang on Virgillis volume forto stair
