Gaped

1 definition found

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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