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agape

 - 5 dictionary results

a⋅gape

1  [uh-geyp, uh-gap]
Use agape in a Sentence
–adverb, adjective
1. with the mouth wide open, as in wonder, surprise, or eagerness: We stood there agape at the splendor.
2. wide open: his mouth agape.
Origin:
1660–70; a- 1 + gape

a⋅ga⋅pe

2  [ah-gah-pey, ah-guh-pey, ag-uh-]
–noun, plural -pae  [-pahy, -pahy, -pee] , -pai  [-pahy, -pahy] for 3.
1. the love of God or Christ for humankind.
2. the love of Christians for other persons, corresponding to the love of God for humankind.
3. unselfish love of one person for another without sexual implications; brotherly love.
4. love feast (defs. 1, 2).
Origin:
1600–10; < Gk agápē love
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To agape
a·gape 1   (ə-gāp', ə-gāp')   
adv.   & adj.

  1. In a state of wonder or amazement, as with the mouth wide open.

  2. Wide open.

a·ga·pe 2   (ä-gä'pā, ä'gə-pā')   
n.  

  1. Christianity Love as revealed in Jesus, seen as spiritual and selfless and a model for humanity.

  2. Love that is spiritual, not sexual, in its nature.

  3. Christianity In the early Christian Church, the love feast accompanied by Eucharistic celebration.


[Greek agapē, love.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

agape 
1607, from Gk. agapan "greet with affection, love" (used by early Christians for their "love feast" held in connection with the Lord's Supper), from agapan "to love," of unknown origin. In modern use, often in simpler sense of "Christian love" (1856, frequently opposed to eros as "carnal or sensual love").
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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