agape

1
[ uh-geyp, uh-gap ]
/ əˈgeɪp, əˈgæp /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR agape ON THESAURUS.COM

adverb, adjective

with the mouth wide open, as in wonder, surprise, or eagerness: We stood there agape at the splendor.
wide open: his mouth agape.

QUIZZES

DO YOU KNOW THIS VOCABULARY FROM "THE HANDMAID'S TALE"?

"The Handmaid's Tale" was required reading for many of us in school. Everyone else has probably watched the very popular and addictive TV show. Do you remember this vocabulary from the book, and do you know what these terms mean?
Question 1 of 10
decorum
the act of or need for making up one's mind.
dignified propriety of behavior, speech, dress, etc.
a company of singers, especially an organized group employed in church service.
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Origin of agape

1
First recorded in 1660–70; a-1 + gape

Words nearby agape

agamospermy, agamy, aganglionic, aganglionosis, agapanthus, agape, agapetus i, agapetus ii, agar, agaric, agaric acid

Definition for agape (2 of 2)

agape2
[ ah-gah-pey, ah-guh-pey, ag-uh- ]
/ ɑˈgɑ peɪ, ˈɑ gəˌpeɪ, ˈæg ə- /

noun, plural a·ga·pae [ah-gah-pahy, ah-guh-pahy, -pee] /ɑˈgɑ paɪ, ˈɑ gəˌpaɪ, -ˌpi/, a·ga·pai [ah-gah-pahy, ah-guh-pahy] /ɑˈgɑ paɪ, ˈɑ gəˌpaɪ/ for 4.

the love of God or Christ for humankind.
the love of Christians for other persons, corresponding to the love of God for humankind.
unselfish love of one person for another without sexual implications; brotherly love.
love feast(defs 1, 2).

Origin of agape

2
First recorded in 1600–10, agape is from the Greek word agápē ‘love’
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to agape

open, yawning, ajar, confounded, overwhelmed, shocked, astonished, awestruck, staring

Example sentences from the Web for agape

British Dictionary definitions for agape (1 of 2)

agape
/ (əˈɡeɪp) /

adjective (postpositive)

(esp of the mouth) wide open
very surprised, expectant, or eager, esp as indicated by a wide open mouth

Word Origin for agape

C17: a- ² + gape

British Dictionary definitions for agape (2 of 2)

Agape
/ (ˈæɡəpɪ) /

noun Christianity

Christian love, esp as contrasted with erotic love; charity
a communal meal in the early Church taken in commemoration of the Last Supper; love feast

Word Origin for Agape

C17: Greek agapē love
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012