agape

[ uh-geyp, uh-gap ]

/ əˈgeɪp, əˈgæp /

SEE MORE 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.

Nearby words

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

Origin of agape

First recorded in 1660–70; a-¹ + gape

Definition for agape (2 of 2)

agape

[ 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

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. 2019

Examples from the Web for agape

His jaws were agape, and inside could be seen three rows of teeth as long as an elephant's tusks.
Old-Time Stories|Charles Perrault
And then they all stood and sat silent and agape with surprise and delight.
The Adventures of Akbar|Flora Annie Steel
Her mouth was ever agape, Her ears were ever ajar; If you wanted to find a sweeter fool, You shouldn't have come this far.
Rose Charlitte|Marshall Saunders
He introduced in his church the primitive custom of the “osculum pacis” and the “agape” celebrated as a common meal with broth.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 12, Slice 1|Various

Tulp ran in agape with the tidings that Sir John and a strange gentleman had ridden up, and desired to see Mr. Stewart.
In the Valley|Harold Frederic

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