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Dare

   Also found in: Acronyms, Idioms, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia 0.03 sec.
Dare  (dâr), Virginia 1587-1587?.
The first child of English parents born in America. She disappeared with other members of the Lost Colony of Roanoke Island in Virginia.

dare  (dâr)
v. dared, dar·ing, dares
v.tr.
1. To have the courage required for: The gymnast dared a breathtakingly difficult move.
2. To challenge (someone) to do something requiring boldness: They dared me to dive off the high board.
3. To confront or oppose boldly. See Synonyms at defy.
v.intr.
To be courageous or bold enough to do or try something: Go ahead and dive if you dare.
v.aux.
To be courageous or bold enough to: I dare not say. How dare she go?
n.
An act of daring; a challenge.

[Middle English daren, from Old English dearr, first and third person sing. present indicative of durran, to venture, dare; see dhers- in Indo-European roots.]

darer n.
Usage Note: Depending on its sense, the verb dare sometimes behaves like an auxiliary verb (such as can or may) and sometimes like a main verb (such as want or try). When used as an auxiliary verb, dare does not change to agree with its subject: Let him say that if he dare. It also does not combine with do in questions, negations, or certain other constructions: Dare we tell her the truth? I dare not mention their names. Finally, it does not take to before the verb that follows it: If you dare breathe a word about it, I'll never speak to you again. When used as a main verb, dare does agree with its subject (If he dares to show up at her house I'll be surprised), and it does combine with do (Did anyone dare to admit it?). It may optionally take to before the verb following it: No one dares (or dares to) speak freely about the political situation. The auxiliary forms differ subtly in meaning from the main verb forms in that they emphasize the attitude or involvement of the speaker while the main verb forms present a more objective situation. Thus How dare you operate this machinery without proper training? expresses indignation at the action, whereas How do you dare to operate this machinery without proper training? is a genuine request for information. When dare is used as a transitive verb meaning "challenge," only main verb forms are possible and to is required: Anyone who dares him to attempt it will be sorry.

dare
Verb
[daring, dared]
1. to be courageous enough to try (to do something)
2. to challenge (someone) to do something risky
3. I dare say
a. it is quite possible
b. probably
Noun
a challenge to do something risky [Old English durran]
USAGE: When used negatively or interrogatively, dare does not usually add -s: he dare not come; dare she come? When used negatively in the past tense, however, dare usually adds -d: he dared not come.
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.Daredare - a challenge to do something dangerous or foolhardy; "he could never refuse a dare"
challenge - a call to engage in a contest or fight
Verb1.dare - take upon oneself; act presumptuously, without permission; "How dare you call my lawyer?"
act, move - perform an action, or work out or perform (an action); "think before you act"; "We must move quickly"; "The governor should act on the new energy bill"; "The nanny acted quickly by grabbing the toddler and covering him with a wet towel"
2.dare - to be courageous enough to try or do something; "I don't dare call him", "she dares to dress differently from the others"
act, move - perform an action, or work out or perform (an action); "think before you act"; "We must move quickly"; "The governor should act on the new energy bill"; "The nanny acted quickly by grabbing the toddler and covering him with a wet towel"
3.dare - challenge; "I dare you!"
brazen - face with defiance or impudence; "brazen it out"
challenge - issue a challenge to; "Fischer challenged Spassky to a match"

dare
verb 1. risk doing, venture, presume, make bold (archaic) hazard doing, brave doing
verb 2. challenge, provoke, defy, taunt, goad, throw down the gauntlet
Translations
Spanish dare [dɛəʳ] vt to dare sb to do → desafiar a algn a hacer vi to dare (to) do sth → atreverse a hacer algo;
I dare say (= I suppose) → puede ser, a lo mejor;
I dare say he'll turn up → puede ser que or quizás venga;
I daren't tell him → no me atrevo a decírselo

French dare [dɛəʳ] vt to dare sb to do → défier qn or mettre qn au défi de faire vi to dare (to) do sth → oser faire qch;
I daren't tell him (Brit) → je n'ose pas le lui dire;
I dare say he'll turn up → il est probable qu'il viendra

German dare [dɛəʳ] vt to dare sb to do sth → jdn dazu herausfordern, etw zu tun vi to dare (to) do sth → es wagen, etw zu tun;
I daren't tell him (Brit) → ich wage nicht, es ihm zu sagen;
I dare say → ich nehme an

Italian dare [dɛəʳ] vt to dare sb to do → sfidare qn a fare vi to dare (to) do sth → osare fare qc;
I daren't tell him (BRIT) → non oso dirglielo;
I dare say he'll turn up → immagino che spunterà

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We dare not forget today that we are the heirs of that first revolution.
And when the crows saw him they were frightened, as these birds always are by scarecrows, and did not dare to come any nearer.
I don't know about the white apron, but I dare say she will make pies and puddings now and then; but that will be no great hardship, as she has done it before.
 
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