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gape - 5 dictionary results
gape
[geyp, gap]
verb, gaped, gap⋅ing, noun –verb (used without object)
| 1. | to stare with open mouth, as in wonder. |
| 2. | to open the mouth wide involuntarily, as the result of hunger, sleepiness, or absorbed attention. |
| 3. | to open as a gap; split or become open wide. |
–noun
| 4. | a wide opening; gap; breach. |
| 5. | an act or instance of gaping. |
| 6. | a stare, as in astonishment or with the mouth wide open. |
| 7. | a yawn. |
| 8. | Zoology. the width of the open mouth. |
Origin:
1175–1225; ME < ON gapa to open the mouth wide; cf. G gaffen
1175–1225; ME < ON gapa to open the mouth wide; cf. G gaffen

Related forms:
gap⋅ing⋅ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Link To gape
gape (gāp, gāp) intr.v. gaped, gap·ing, gapes
[Middle English gapen, from Old Norse gapa.] |
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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Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Gape
Gape\ (?; in Eng, commonly ?; 277), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Gaped (? or ?); 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. She stretches, gapes, unglues her eyes, And asks if it be time to rise. --Swift. (c) Showing self-forgetfulness in surprise, astonishment, expectation, etc. With gaping wonderment had stared aghast. --Byron. (d) Manifesting a desire to injure, devour, or overcome. They have gaped upon me with their mouth. --Job xvi. 10. 2. To pen or part widely; to exhibit a gap, fissure, or hiatus. May that ground gape and swallow me alive! --Shak. 3. To long, wait eagerly, or cry aloud for something; -- with for, after, or at. The hungry grave for her due tribute gapes. --Denham. Syn: To gaze; stare; yawn. See Gaze.Gape
Gape\, n. 1. The act of gaping; a yawn. --Addison. 2. (Zo["o]l.) The width of the mouth when opened, as of birds, fishes, etc.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : gape
Spanish:
mirar boquiabierto,
German:
anstaunen,
Japanese:
ぽかんと口を開ける
gape
c.1220, from O.N. gapa "to open the mouth, gape," common W.Gmc. (cf. M.Du. gapen, Ger. gaffen), of unknown origin.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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