n. [ OE. gap; cf. Icel. gap an empty space, Sw. gap mouth, breach, abyss, Dan. gab mouth, opening, AS. geap expanse; as adj., wide, spacious. See Gape. ] 1. An opening in anything made by breaking or parting; as, a gap in a fence; an opening for a passage or entrance; an opening which implies a breach or defect; a vacant space or time; a hiatus; a mountain pass. [ 1913 Webster ]

Miseries ensued by the opening of that gap. Knolles. [ 1913 Webster ]

It would make a great gap in your own honor. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Aëronautics) The vertical distance between two superposed surfaces, esp. in a biplane. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

Gap lathe (Mach.), a turning lathe with a deep notch in the bed to admit of turning a short object of large diameter. --
To stand in the gap, to expose one's self for the protection of something; to make defense against any assailing danger; to take the place of a fallen defender or supporter. --
To stop a gap, to secure a weak point; to repair a defect. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. 1. To notch, as a sword or knife. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To make an opening in; to breach. [ 1913 Webster ]

Their masses are gapp'd with our grape. Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. ] 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 ]

n. 1. The act of gaping; a yawn. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Zool.) The width of the mouth when opened, as of birds, fishes, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. One who gapes. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Zool.) (a) A European fish. See 4th Comber. (b) A large edible clam (Schizothærus Nuttalli), of the Pacific coast; -- called also gaper clam. (c) An East Indian bird of the genus Cymbirhynchus, related to the broadbills. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. See as the gapes, under gape, n.. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. Any strange sight. Wright. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A person who looks or stares gapingly. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

To buy gapeseed, or
To sow gapeseed, to stare idly or in idle wonderment, instead of attending to business. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. Act of gazing about; sightseeing. [ Prov. Eng. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Zool.) The parasitic worm that causes the gapes in birds. See Illustration in Appendix. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who is an object of open-mouthed wonder. [ 1913 Webster ]

I was to be a gapingstock and a scorn to the young volunteers. Godwin. [ 1913 Webster ]