GAPES

Verb

gapes

Third-person singular simple present indicative form of gape

Noun

gapes

plural of gape

(uncountable) A fit of yawning.

(uncountable) A disease of young poultry and other birds, caused by a parasitic nematode worm in the windpipe, and having uneasy gaping as a symptom.

Anagrams

• Gaspé, pages

Source: Wiktionary

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.

GAPE

Gape (; in Eng, commonly ; 277), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Gaped ( or ); p. pr. & vb. n. Gaping] Etym: [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.

Gape, n.

1. The act of gaping; a yawn. Addison.

2. (Zoöl.)

Definition: The width of the mouth when opened, as of birds, fishes, etc.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition