From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
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]
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
gaping
adj 1: with the mouth wide open as in wonder or awe; "the gaping
audience"; "we stood there agape with wonder"; "with
mouth agape" [syn: {agape(p)}, {gaping}]
From Dutch-English Freedict Dictionary ver. 0.1.3 [fd-nld-eng]:
gaping /xapiŋ/
1. breach; gap
2. crack; crevice
|
