Middle English Dictionary Entry
gaspen v.
Entry Info
| Forms | gaspen v. Also gaispen. |
| Etymology | ON; cp. OI geispa, Norw. gjespe, Swed. gäspa. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
To open the mouth wide, gape; also, exhale.
Associated quotations
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)5.3975 : Sche gaspeth with a drecchinge onde, And tho sche tok hir speche on honde.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)5.4064 : Tho sche gan to gaspe and gone, And made signes manyon, And seide hir wordes therupon.
- ?a1400 Mannyng Chron.Pt.1 (Petyt 511)12703 : Gaspand he fell & lay all [Lamb: Gapyng he lay at erþe al streked Als he was wyþ þe launce cheked].
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)188 : Gaspyn: Exalo, hisco.
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)1462 : Thare ware gomes thurghegirde with grundyn wapyns Grisely gayspande with grucchande lotes.
- c1450 Alph.Tales (Add 25719)144/28 : Þe bisshopp saw þaim gaspe with þer mowthis agayns hym & mott speke no wurde.
- a1450 Lestenit lordynges I you beseke (Sln 2593)p.279 : I may bothe gaspe and gape.