dare

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a challenge to do something dangerous or foolhardy

   I could never refuse a dare.

2. 2
   verb

   challenge

   I dare you!

3. 3
   verb

   to be courageous enough to try or do something

   I dare to dress differently from the others – it gives me a unique style.

4. 4
   verb

   To have enough courage (to do something).

   I wouldn't dare (to) argue with my boss.

5. 5
   verb

   To defy or challenge (someone to do something).

   I dare you to kiss that girl.

6. 6
   verb

   To have enough courage to meet or do something, go somewhere, etc.; to face up to.

   Will you dare death to reach your goal?

7. 7
   verb

   To terrify; to daunt.

   For I have done those follies, those mad mischiefs, Would dare a woman.

8. 8
   verb

   To drive larks to the ground by scaring them (for instance, with mirrors or hawks) so they can be caught in nets.

   I have an hobby can make larks to dare

Etymology

From Middle English durren, from Old English durran, from Proto-West Germanic *durʀan, from Proto-Germanic *durzaną (“to dare”), from Proto-Indo-European *dʰedʰórse (“to dare”), reduplicated stative of the root *dʰers- (“to be bold, to dare”), an *-s- extension of *dʰer- (“to hold, support”). Cognates Cognate with Low German dören, Dutch durven, German turren, Sanskrit दधर्ष (dadhárṣa), but also with Ancient Greek θρασύς (thrasús), Albanian nder, Lithuanian drįsti, Russian дерза́ть (derzátʹ).