gaper

Variant of gape

intransitive verb gaped, gaping

  1. to open the mouth wide, as in yawning or hunger
  2. to stare with the mouth open, as in wonder or surprise
  3. to open or be opened wide, as a chasm

Origin: ME gapen < ON gapa < IE *ghēp- < IE *ghēp- < base *ghe-, to yawn, gape > gab, Gr chasma, abyss, L hiatus

noun

  1. the act of gaping; specif.,
    1. an open-mouthed stare
    2. a yawn
  2. a wide gap or opening
  3. Zool. the measure of the widest possible opening of a mouth or beak

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2010 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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