What is "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.

2. To direct the attention (to something); to consider; to examine; as, to look at an action.

3. To seem; to appear; to have a particular appearance; as, the patient looks better; the clouds look rainy.

   It would look more like vanity than gratitude.
   --Addison.

   Observe how such a practice looks in another person.
   --I. Watts.

4. To have a particular direction or situation; to face; to front.

   The inner gate that looketh to north.
   --Ezek. viii. 3.

   The east gate . . . which looketh eastward.
   --Ezek. xi. 1.

5. In the imperative: see; behold; take notice; take care; observe; -- used to call attention.

   Look, how much we thus expel of sin, so much we expel of virtue.
   --Milton.

   Note: Look, in the imperative, may be followed by a dependent sentence, but see is oftener so used.

   Look that ye bind them fast.
   --Shak.

   Look if it be my daughter.
   --Talfourd.

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.

   My toes look through the overleather.
   --Shak.

7. To await the appearance of anything; to expect; to anticipate. Looking each hour into death's mouth to fall. --Spenser. 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. 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. 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. 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.

      1. To regard; to esteem.

         Her friends would look on her the worse.
         --Prior.

      2. To consider; to view; to conceive of; to think of.

         I looked on Virgil as a succinct, majestic writer.
         --Dryden.

      3. To be a mere spectator. 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.

         1. To see through.

         2. To search; to examine with the eyes. To look to or To look unto.

            1. To watch; to take care of. ``Look well to thy herds.''
               --Prov. xxvii. 23.

            2. 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. 2

   2. 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.