gaper

[ gey-per ]

noun

1. a person or thing that gapes. gape.
2. Also called horse clam. a large clam, Tresus capax, common on gravelly and coarse-sand beaches.

ˈgaper

/ ˈɡeɪpə /

noun

1. a person or thing that gapes
2. any of various large marine bivalve molluscs of the genera Mya and Lutraria that burrow in muddy sand. M. arenaria is the American soft-shelled clam and the two species of Lutraria are the otter shells. The valves have a permanent gap at the hind end

Word History and Origins

Origin of gaper¹

First recorded in 1630–40; gape + -er ¹

Example Sentences

This clumsy sign is called de Gaaper,—the Gaper,—and I know not the origin of it.

From Project Gutenberg

That blue-billed gaper probably came from Malacca, and the trogon too.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bystander
• fan
• moviegoer
• observer
• onlooker
• sports fan
• theatergoer
• viewer