- Gaping
- Gape Gape (g[aum]p; in Eng, commonly g[=a]p; 277), v. i. [imp.
& p. p. {Gaped} (g[aum]pt or g[=a]pt); 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.
[1913 Webster]
She stretches, gapes, unglues her eyes, And asks if it be time to rise. --Swift. [1913 Webster] (c) Showing unselfconsciousness in surprise, astonishment, expectation, etc. [1913 Webster]
With gaping wonderment had stared aghast. --Byron. (d) Manifesting a desire to injure, devour, or overcome. [1913 Webster]
They have gaped upon me with their mouth. --Job xvi. 10. [1913 Webster]
2. To open or part widely; to exhibit a gap, fissure, or hiatus. [1913 Webster]
May that ground gape and swallow me alive! --Shak. [1913 Webster]
3. To long, wait eagerly, or cry aloud for something; -- with for, after, or at. [1913 Webster]
The hungry grave for her due tribute gapes. --Denham.
Syn: To gaze; stare; yawn. See {Gaze}. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.