Agaze

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. Being in a condition of staring intently, often reflecting deep thought or interest
2. To look fixedly and attentively at something or someone with concentrated focus
3. Describes the act of gazing with unwavering attention often due to curiosity or contemplation

Etymology: "Agaze" is a simple formation: the prefix a- (meaning "to" or "in the direction of") attached to "gaze," which means to look at something intently. Put together, the word describes fixing one's eyes on something, or being in the state of having done so. The prefix is the same one found in older English words like "aside" and "aloft," where it similarly points the action toward a place or condition. Because "gaze" itself is a plain, fully English verb, there is no foreign root to trace here. The interest lies in the prefix, which English once used more freely to build verbs and adjectives from ordinary words, and which survives in "agaze" mostly in older and literary writing.

Synonyms: gazing, staring, looking, watching, observing

Antonyms: ignoring, overlooking