[ adj ] with the mouth wide open as in wonder or awe <adj.all> the gaping audiencewe stood there agape with wonder with mouth agape
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.
She stretches, gapes, unglues her eyes, And asks if it be time to rise. --Swift. (c) Showing unselfconsciousness 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 open 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.