From WordNet (r) 2.0 (August 2003) [wn]:
gape
n 1: an expression of open-mouthed astonishment
2: a stare of amazement (usually with the mouth open)
v 1: look with amazement; look stupidly [syn: goggle, gawp,
gawk]
2: be wide open; "the deep gaping canyon" [syn: yawn, yaw]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Gape \Gape\, n.
1. The act of gaping; a yawn. --Addison.
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2. (Zool.) The width of the mouth when opened, as of birds,
fishes, etc.
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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.
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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.
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She stretches, gapes, unglues her eyes,
And asks if it be time to rise. --Swift.
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(c) Showing unselfconsciousness in surprise, astonishment,
expectation, etc.
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With gaping wonderment had stared aghast.
--Byron.
(d) Manifesting a desire to injure, devour, or overcome.
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They have gaped upon me with their mouth. --Job
xvi. 10.
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2. To open or part widely; to exhibit a gap, fissure, or
hiatus.
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May that ground gape and swallow me alive! --Shak.
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3. To long, wait eagerly, or cry aloud for something; -- with
for, after, or at.
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The hungry grave for her due tribute gapes.
--Denham.
Syn: To gaze; stare; yawn. See Gaze.
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