Main Entry:

¹gap

Pronunciation:

\ˈgap\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English, from Old Norse, chasm, hole; akin to Old Norse gapa to gape

Date:

14th century

1 a: a break in a barrier (as a wall, hedge, or line of military defense) b: an assailable position2 a: a mountain pass b: ravine3: spark gap4 a: a separation in space b: an incomplete or deficient area <a gap in her knowledge>5: a break in continuity : hiatus6: a break in the vascular cylinder of a plant where a vascular trace departs from the central cylinder7: lack of balance : disparity <the gap between imports and exports>8: a wide difference in character or attitude <the generation gap>9: a problem caused by some disparity <a communication gap> <credibility gap>

— gap·py \ˈga-pē\ adjective