English Dictionary: gaping | by the DICT Development Group |
2 results for gaping | |
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]: | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
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}. |