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gapes

American  
[geyps, gaps] / geɪps, gæps /

noun

(used with a singular verb)
  1. Veterinary Pathology. a parasitic disease of poultry and other birds, characterized by frequent gaping due to infestation of the trachea and bronchi with gapeworms.

  2. a fit of yawning.


gapes British  
/ ɡeɪps /

noun

  1. a disease of young domestic fowl, characterized by gaping or gasping for breath and caused by parasitic worms ( gapeworms )

  2. informal a fit of yawning

"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

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of gapes

see origin at gape, -s 3

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The crater gapes at about 13 miles wide and 2.6 miles deep.

From Scientific American • Sep. 21, 2023

The line of the river now gapes like an open wound, perhaps a hundred metres across in places.

From BBC • Sep. 16, 2023

“Today, a deep rift gapes between Russia and Europe where, according to Gorbachev’s vision, a common European house was supposed to arise with Russia and with a common security architecture,” she added.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 7, 2022

Referring to the 2016 attack, Mr. Cablitz said: “It is a wound that still gapes in the heart of the city. Everyone remembers it.”

From New York Times • Jun. 8, 2022

Lou Ann’s eyes go round and her mouth gapes open.

From "The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman" by Gennifer Choldenko

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