Related Searches
Nearby Words
Synonyms

gapping

 [gap-ing]   Origin

gap·ping

   [gap-ing]
noun Linguistics.
a rule of transformational grammar by which repeated instances of a verb are deleted from conjoined sentences, as in the deletion of brought from Mary brought the bread, John the cheese, and Bill the wine.
Origin:
gap + -ing1

:10

:09

:08

:07

:06

:05

:04

:03

:02

:01

Gapping is always a great word to know.
So is dialect atlas. Does it mean:
a collection of maps of a certain area indicating the distribution of various phonological, morphological, lexical, or other features of the dialects of that area
a theory of phonology that uses a set of rules to derive phonetic representations from abstract underlying forms
LEARN MORE UNUSUAL WORDS WITH WORD DYNAMO...
Dictionary.com Unabridged

gap

   [gap] noun, verb, gapped, gap·ping.
noun
1.
a break or opening, as in a fence, wall, or military line; breach: We found a gap in the enemy's line of fortifications.
2.
an empty space or interval; interruption in continuity; hiatus: a momentary gap in a siren's wailing; a gap in his memory.
3.
a wide divergence or difference; disparity: the gap between expenses and income; the gap between ideals and actions.
4.
a difference or disparity in attitudes, perceptions, character, or development, or a lack of confidence or understanding, perceived as creating a problem: the technology gap; a communications gap.
5.
a deep, sloping ravine or cleft through a mountain ridge.
EXPAND
6.
Chiefly Midland and Southern U.S. a mountain pass: the Cumberland Gap.
7.
Aeronautics. the distance between one supporting surface of an airplane and another above or below it.
COLLAPSE
verb (used with object)
8.
to make a gap, opening, or breach in.
verb (used without object)
9.
to come open or apart; form or show a gap.
Origin:
1350–1400; Middle English < Old Norse gap chasm

Related forms
gap·less, adjective

Synonyms
2. pause, interstice, break, interlude, lull.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source Link To gapping
Collins
World English Dictionary
gapping (ˈɡæpɪŋ)
 
—n
1.  (in transformational grammar) a rule that deletes repetitions of a verb, as in the sentence Bill voted for Smith, Sam for McKay, and Dave for Harris
2.  the act or practice of taking a gap year

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History

gap
1261, from O.N. gap "chasm," related to gapa "to gape." Originally "hole in a wall;" broader sense is 16c. In U.S., common in place names in ref. to a break or pass in a long mountain chain (especially one that water flows through).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
American Heritage
Medical Dictionary

gap (gāp)
n.

  1. An opening in a structure or surface; a cleft or breach.

  2. An interval or discontinuity in any series or sequence.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
Partners:WordBloglinesCitysearchThe Daily BeastAsk AnswersAsk KidsLife123SendoriThesaurus
Dictionary.com, LLC. Copyright © 2012. All rights reserved.
About Privacy Policy Terms of Use API Careers Advertise with Us Contact Us Help
  • Please Login or Sign Up to use the Recent Searches feature
FAVORITES
RECENT
How many words do you know? FIND OUT