Main Entry: ¹dare

Pronunciation: \ˈder\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): dared; dar·ing; dares or (auxiliary) dare

Etymology: Middle English dar (1st & 3d singular present indicative), from Old English dear; akin to Old High German gitar (1st & 3d singular present indicative) dare, Greek tharsos courage

Date: before 12th century

verbal auxiliary : to be sufficiently courageous to <no one dared say a word> <she dare not let herself love — G. B. Shaw>intransitive verb : to have sufficient courage <try it if you dare>transitive verb 1 a : to challenge to perform an action especially as a proof of courage <dared him to jump> b : to confront boldly : defy <dared the anger of his family>
2 : to have the courage to contend against, venture, or try <the actress dared a new interpretation of this classic role>

— dar·er \ˈder-ər\ noun