gapes

[ geyps, gaps ]

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

/ 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

Derived Forms

• ˈgapy, adjective

Other Words From

• gapy adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of gapes¹

gape, -s ³

Example Sentences

And deep in the North Atlantic Ocean, an anglerfish gapes into the gloom.

From New York Times

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

From Scientific American

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

From BBC

He replaced Mike Gapes, who held the seat since 1992 but resigned from Labour alongside six other MPs that February.

From BBC

He gapes upward to the spiky mountains, then to the sky.

From Literature