v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Gaped 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. [ 1913 Webster ]
She stretches, gapes, unglues her eyes,
And asks if it be time to rise. Swift. [ 1913 Webster ]
(c) Showing unselfconsciousness in surprise, astonishment, expectation, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]
With gaping wonderment had stared aghast. Byron.
(d) Manifesting a desire to injure, devour, or overcome. [ 1913 Webster ]
They have gaped upon me with their mouth. Job xvi. 10. [ 1913 Webster ]
2. To open or part widely; to exhibit a gap, fissure, or hiatus. [ 1913 Webster ]
May that ground gape and swallow me alive! Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
3. To long, wait eagerly, or cry aloud for something; -- with for, after, or at. [ 1913 Webster ]
The hungry grave for her due tribute gapes. Denham.
Syn. -- To gaze; stare; yawn. See Gaze. [ 1913 Webster ]