gapes

gape  (gp, gp)

intr.v. gaped, gap·ing, gapes

1. To open the mouth wide; yawn.

2. To stare wonderingly or stupidly, often with the mouth open. See Synonyms at gaze.

3. To open wide: The curtains gaped when the wind blew.

n.

1. The act or an instance of gaping.

2. A large opening.

3. Zoology The width of the space between the open jaws or mandibles of a vertebrate.

4. gapes (used with a sing. verb) A disease of birds, especially young domesticated chickens and turkeys, caused by gapeworms and resulting in obstructed breathing.

5. gapes A fit of yawning.

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[Middle English gapen, from Old Norse gapa.]

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gapes [geɪps]

n (functioning as singular)

1. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Veterinary Science) a disease of young domestic fowl, characterized by gaping or gasping for breath and caused by gapeworms

2. Informal a fit of yawning

gapy  adj