agape
/əˈɡeɪp/
adjective
Origin
Middle English
a- + gape — in a state of gaping
Overview
Meaning Now
- Having the mouth wide open, especially in wonder, surprise, or shock.
Literal older meaning
gaping
Language path
Old English → Middle English → English
Earliest form
a-gape
Earliest period
14th century
Journey
The term illustrates the process in Middle English where the preposition 'a' (a reduced form of 'on') was prefixed to verbs to form participial adjectives, a pattern seen in words like 'asleep' or 'afloat'.
Evolution
- 14th century Middle English
a-gape
“gaping”
Formed as a compound of the prefix 'a-' meaning 'in' or 'on' and the verb 'gape'.
- 17th century English
agape
“wide open in wonder or awe”
Standardized spelling and usage as an adjective.
Connections
Word parts
a-
prefix
in or on
gape
root
to open the mouth wide
Related across languages
Old Norse
gapa
to open the mouth
Explore next
Related to agape
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.