agape

¹

[ uh-geyp, uh-gap ]

adverb

1. with the mouth wide open, as in wonder, surprise, or eagerness:

   We stood there agape at the splendor.

2. wide open:

   his mouth agape.

agape

²

[ ah-gah-pey, ah-guh-pey, ag-uh- ]

noun

, plural a·ga·pae [ah-, gah, -pahy, ah, -g, uh, -pahy, -pee], a·ga·pai [ah-, gah, -pahy, ah, -g, uh, -pahy]

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

Agape

¹

/ ˈæɡəpɪ /

noun

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

agape

²

/ əˈɡeɪp /

adjective

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of agape¹

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

Origin of agape²

First recorded in 1600–10, agape is from the Greek word agápē “love”

Word History and Origins

Origin of agape¹

C17: Greek agapē love

Origin of agape²

C17: a- ² + gape

Example Sentences

By the time he reached the home stretch, his teammates were waiting, arms raised and mouths agape, for a celebration at the plate.

From Los Angeles Times

Rafael Nadal, left arm across his chest, feet levitating above the court and mouth agape, has just walloped a trademark forehand winner.

From BBC

He looked so frail in a wheelchair, his legs covered by a blanket and his mouth agape, that it shocked friends in the church and admirers watching on television.

From New York Times

The men lay frozen naked in a ghoulish pile, with mouths agape and eyes glazed over, their hair encrusted with ice and snow.

From New York Times

In one thread, a man fails to contain his awe at the power of nuclear energy, and ultimately finds himself split into dozens of clones, staring, mouth agape, on another plane of existence.

From New York Times