GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 2 definitions

1.       
   Gape , v. i. [imp. & p. p. Gaped ; 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.]
   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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   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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   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.
   The act of gaping; a yawn.
   Addison.
   
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   (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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