Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Gape \Gape\ (?; in Eng, commonly ?; 277), v. i. [imp. & p. p.
   {Gaped} (? or ?); p. pr. & vb. n. {Gaping}] [OE. gapen, AS.
   geapan to open; akin to D. gapen to gape, G. gaffen, Icel. &
   Sw. gapa, Dan. gabe; cf. Skr. jabh to snap at, open the
   mouth. Cf. {Gaby}, {Gap}.]
   1. To open the mouth wide; as:
      (a) Expressing a desire for food; as, young birds gape.
          --Dryden.
      (b) Indicating sleepiness or indifference; to yawn.

                She stretches, gapes, unglues her eyes, And asks
                if it be time to rise.            --Swift.
      (c) Showing self-forgetfulness in surprise, astonishment,
          expectation, etc.

                With gaping wonderment had stared aghast.
                                                  --Byron.
      (d) Manifesting a desire to injure, devour, or overcome.

                They have gaped upon me with their mouth. --Job
                                                  xvi. 10.

   2. To pen or part widely; to exhibit a gap, fissure, or
      hiatus.

            May that ground gape and swallow me alive! --Shak.

   3. To long, wait eagerly, or cry aloud for something; -- with
      for, after, or at.

            The hungry grave for her due tribute gapes.
                                                  --Denham.

   Syn: To gaze; stare; yawn. See {Gaze}.

Gape \Gape\, n.
   1. The act of gaping; a yawn. --Addison.

   2. (Zo["o]l.) The width of the mouth when opened, as of
      birds, fishes, etc.

Source : WordNet®

gape
     n 1: an expression of open-mouthed astonishment
     2: a stare of amazement (usually with the mouth open)
     v 1: look with amazement; look stupidly [syn: {goggle}, {gawp}, {gawk}]
     2: be wide open; "the deep gaping canyon" [syn: {yawn}, {yaw}]