The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Gaze \Gaze\ (g[=a]z), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Gazed (g[=a]zd); p.
pr. & vb. n. Gazing.] [OE. gasen, akin to dial. Sw. gasa,
cf. Goth. us-gaisjan to terrify, us-geisnan to be terrified.
Cf. Aghast, Ghastly, Ghost, Hesitate.]
To fix the eyes in a steady and earnest look; to look with
eagerness or curiosity, as in admiration, astonishment, or
with studious attention.
[1913 Webster]
Why stand ye gazing up into heaven? --Acts i. 11.
Syn: To gape; stare; look.
Usage: To Gaze, Gape, Stare. To gaze is to look with
fixed and prolonged attention, awakened by excited
interest or elevated emotion; to gape is to look
fixedly, with open mouth and feelings of ignorant
wonder; to stare is to look with the fixedness of
insolence or of idiocy. The lover of nature gazes with
delight on the beauties of the landscape; the rustic
gapes with wonder at the strange sights of a large
city; the idiot stares on those around with a vacant
look.
[1913 Webster]