gapes

[geyps, gaps] /geɪps, gæps/
noun, (used with a singular verb)
1.
Veterinary Pathology. a parasitic disease of poultry and other birds, characterized by frequent gaping due to infestation of the trachea and bronchi with gapeworms.
2.
a fit of yawning.
Origin
see gape, -s3
Related forms
gapy, adjective

gape

[geyp, gap] /geɪp, gæp/
verb (used without object), gaped, gaping.
1.
to stare with open mouth, as in wonder.
2.
to open the mouth wide involuntarily, as the result of hunger, sleepiness, or absorbed attention.
3.
to open as a gap; split or become open wide.
noun
4.
a wide opening; gap; breach.
5.
an act or instance of gaping.
6.
a stare, as in astonishment or with the mouth wide open.
7.
a yawn.
8.
Zoology. the width of the open mouth.
Origin
1175-1225; Middle English < Old Norse gapa to open the mouth wide; compare German gaffen
Related forms
gapingly, adverb
subgape, verb (used without object), subgaped, subgaping.
ungaping, adjective
Synonyms
1. See gaze. 2, 3. yawn.
Examples from the web for gapes
  • On the rare occasion when a harmless water snake gapes, with mouth open wide, the interior of the mouth will be pinkish in color.
British Dictionary definitions for gapes

gapes

/ɡeɪps/
noun (functioning as sing)
1.
a disease of young domestic fowl, characterized by gaping or gasping for breath and caused by parasitic worms (gapeworms)
2.
(informal) a fit of yawning
Derived Forms
gapy, adjective

gape

/ɡeɪp/
verb (intransitive)
1.
to stare in wonder or amazement, esp with the mouth open
2.
to open the mouth wide, esp involuntarily, as in yawning or hunger
3.
to be or become wide open: the crater gaped under his feet
noun
4.
the act of gaping
5.
a wide opening; breach
6.
the width of the widely opened mouth of a vertebrate
7.
a stare or expression of astonishment
See also gapes
Word Origin
C13: from Old Norse gapa; related to Middle Dutch gapen, Danish gabe
Word Origin and History for gapes

gape

v.

early 13c., from an unrecorded Old English word or else from Old Norse gapa "to open the mouth, gape," common West Germanic (cf. Middle Dutch, Dutch gapen, German gaffen "to gape, stare," Swedish gapa, Danish gabe), from PIE *ghai- (see gap). Related: Gaped; gaping. As a noun, from 1530s.