Gaze (1 syl., g hard)

To stand at gaze. To stand in doubt what to do A term in forestry. When a stag first hears the hounds it stands dazed, looking all round, and in doubt what to do. Heralds call a stag which is represented full-faced, a “stag at gaze.”

“The American army in the central states remained wholly at gaze.”—Lord Mahon: History.

“As the poor frighted deer, that stands at gaze,

Wildly determining which way to fly.”

Shakespeare: Rape of Lucrece, 1149–50.

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Entry taken from Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. and revised in 1895.