A person or thing that is stared at by many people, often because they look unusual or ridiculous.
Compound of 'gazing' (looking steadily) and 'stock' (a fixed object or supply). Similar to 'laughingstock,' it follows the pattern of nouns describing things exposed to public attention.
This is basically the old-fashioned way of saying someone became famous (or infamous) for their appearance—it's what happened to 'oddities' displayed in Victorian sideshows!
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