GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 2 definitions

1.       
   Gape (gäp; in Eng, commonly gāp; 277), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Gaped (gäpt or gāpt); p. pr. & vb. n. Gaping] [OE. gapen, AS.  geapan to open; akin to D. gapen to gape, G. gaffen, Icel. & Sw. gapa, Dan. gabe; cf. Skr. jabh to snap at, open the mouth.  Cf. Gaby, Gap.]
   1. To open the mouth wide; as: (a) Expressing a desire for food; as, “young birds gape”. Dryden.  (b) Indicating sleepiness or indifference; to yawn.
   
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   She stretches, gapes, unglues her eyes,
   
   And asks if it be time to rise. Swift.
   
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   (c) Showing unselfconsciousness in surprise, astonishment, expectation, etc.
   
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   With gaping wonderment had stared aghast. Byron.
   
   (d) Manifesting a desire to injure, devour, or overcome.
   
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   They have gaped upon me with their mouth. Job xvi. 10.
   
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   2. To open or part widely; to exhibit a gap, fissure, or hiatus.
   
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   May that ground gape and swallow me alive! Shak.
   
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   3. To long, wait eagerly, or cry aloud for something; -- with for, after, or at.
   
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   The hungry grave for her due tribute gapes. Denham.
   
   Syn. -- To gaze; stare; yawn. See Gaze.
   
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2.       
   Gape, n.
   1. The act of gaping; a yawn.  Addison.
   
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   2. (Zool.) The width of the mouth when opened, as of birds, fishes, etc.
   
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   The gapes. (a) A fit of yawning. (b) A disease of young poultry and other birds, attended with much gaping. It is caused by a parasitic nematode worm (Syngamus trachealis), in the windpipe, which obstructs the breathing. See Gapeworm.
   
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