gape-seed
Definition
- Noun (humorous or colloquial): A state or instance of staring open-mouthed in wonder or astonishment; something that causes or is the object of such staring.
Usage Examples
- (They stared open-mouthed with wonder.)
- (The tricks caused people to stare in astonishment.)
Advanced Usage
- "to catch gape-seed": to engage in idle or astonished staring.
- He spent the afternoon catching gape-seed at the parade. (He stared aimlessly or in wonder at the parade.)
Variants and Related Words
- Gape (verb): to open the mouth wide, especially in surprise or wonder.
- The child gaped at the magician's trick. (He stared with mouth open.)
- Gape-mouthed (adj): having the mouth open in astonishment.
- The audience was gape-mouthed during the finale. (They were visibly astonished.)
Synonyms
- Stare: a fixed, wide-eyed look.
- Gawk: to stare openly and stupidly.
- Wonder: a feeling of amazement and admiration.
Related Idioms
- "To be all eyes": to watch with great attention and wonder.
- The children were all eyes at the circus. (They watched with intense curiosity.)
- "To have one's jaw drop": to be extremely surprised.
- His jaw dropped when he saw the price. (He was astonished.)
Usage Notes
This word is rare and highly informal, often used in humorous or dialectal contexts. It is not commonly found in modern standard English but appears in older or regional literature.