Middle English Dictionary Entry
gāsen v.
Entry Info
| Forms | gāsen v. Also gace, gazen. |
| Etymology | ON; cp. Norw.Swed. dial. gasa to gape, stare. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To stare, gaze, look steadily or intently; (b) ~ abouten, to look after (sth.), watch intently; (c) fig. to fix one's attention, think longingly.
Associated quotations
a
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Cl.(Manly-Rickert)E.1003 : The peple gazed [vrr. gased, gasith] vp and doun For they were glad right for the noueltee To han a newe lady of hir toun.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)1.3027 : Þe strengþe of siȝt schulde be deposed Of hem þat wolde gasen or biholde.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)1.3503 : Þe peple cam to staren and to gase Vp-on þe Ram, as it were a mase.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)5.2560 : Þe kyng þedirward gan gaze.
- a1450(?c1430) Lydg.DM(1) (Hnt EL 26.A.13)418 : So loke and gase & stare a-ȝenne the sunne.
- c1450 Capgr.Rome (Bod 423)36 : Þei left mech of her deuocioun and stood and gased on þese uanities rith for nouelte of þe site.
- a1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Vit C.13)19571 : And they..Loke vp-ward and al day gaze.
- c1475(a1449) Lydg.OFools (LdMisc 683)41 : A fface vnstable, gasyng Est and South..Gapeth as a rook, abrood goth iowe and mouth.
- c1475(a1449) Lydg.SPuer(1) (LdMisc 683)9 : Cast not thy look asyde, Gase nat aboute, turnyng over all.
- c1485 Chaucer CT.ML.(Cmb Ee.2.15)B.912 : Gase [Heng: Down..comth ther many a wight To gauren on this Shipe].
- a1500(c1450) Idley Instr.(Arun 20)2.S.409 : Gacc [read: Gace] not abouȝt in ych manny [read: mannys] fface.
b
- (a1460) Vegetius(2) (Pmb-C 243)1352 : Whil thi foomen go gase Aboute her bekenys, to tende her blase, Go thou the way that thei suppose leeste Thou woldest go.
c
- a1450(1412) Hoccl.RP (Hrl 4866)1451 : I gasyd longe firste & waytid faste After some benefice.