dar´er

dare¹ «dair», verb, dared or (Archaic) durst, dared, dar|ing, noun.

–v.i.

to have courage; be bold; be bold enough: »

You wouldn't dare! The will to do, the soul to dare (Scott).

–v.t.

1. to have courage to try; be bold enough for; not be afraid of: »

The explorer dared the dangers of the icy north. She dared contradict the teacher.

2. to meet and resist; face and defy: »

to dare the power of a dictator. I saw and felt London at last…I dared the perils of the crossings (Charlotte Brontë).

SYNONYM(S): brave.

3. to challenge: »

I dare you to jump the puddle.

–n.

1. a challenge: »

I took his dare to jump.

2. Obsolete. daring; boldness.

╂[Old English dearr, first person singular, indicative of durran to dare]

–dar´er, noun.

Synonym Study

–v.i. Dare, venture mean to be courageous or bold enough to do something. Dare emphasizes the idea of meeting fearlessly any danger or trouble, especially in doing something that is or seems important: »

Only the fireman dared to enter the burning building.

Venture emphasizes the idea of being willing to take chances: »

He ventured to cross the rickety bridge when none of the rest of us would even set foot on it.

Usage dare, dares. Either dare or dares is used with the third person singular: »

He dare not. He dares to do many reckless things.

dare² «dair», transitive verb, dared, dar|ing.

1. Dialect. to terrify; daunt.

2. Obsolete. to daze; fascinate.

╂[Old English darian to lurk, lie hid]