look-see en · NOUN
Etymology
Borrowed from Chinese Pidgin English look-see.
Meanings
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(informal) A brief examination, a peek or glance.
He gave me a quick look-see at what they're working on.
‘It’s the first native island I ever called at where the whole tribe didn’t come down to the beach for a look-see.
1932, Delos W. Lovelace, King Kong, published 1965, page 43:I’ve had a look-see at your work, and I think you’ve done a pretty good job of things.
I'll just take a look-see at the problem and come right back, then we can go to lunch.
You'll do what I do. Meet and greet. Then read through the sides with the actors, unless they're on a look-see.
2012, Jackie Collins, Hollywood Kids:I'm going up in the Cub to take a look-see.
1999, Dana Stabenow, Hunter's Moon, →ISBN, page 33:
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A person who serves as lookout or scout.
Once we have them localized, I can send in some look-sees to get a better idea of how many and whether there's actually a nuke in there with them.
2013, Jack Campbell, The Lost Fleet:
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An audition attended by an actor or model so that they can be visually appraised.
J. is dating P. at NYU and modeling on the side. They're planning to meet us in Paris for spring break so J. can go to some look-sees (and eat some escargot, obv.).
2007, Melissa de la Cruz, Crazy Hot, page 270:The basic use of the comp is to allow an art or casting director to select the model type needed for a particular assignment. This is generally followed by a casting call or a "look-see" for a more detailed evaluation of the models.
2005, Lynne Warren, Encyclopedia of Twentieth-Century Photography, page 489:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| looksee | alternative | lexicographic | |
| look-sees | Number=Plur | lexicographic | |
| looksie | alternative | lexicographic | |
| looksy | alternative | lexicographic |