I. agape əˈgāp sometimes -ap adjective
Etymology: a- (I) + gape, v.
1. : wide open : gaping
his mouth was agape in yokel fashion — Stephen Crane
2. : being in an attitude or state of wonder, expectation, or eager attention
leaving him alone and agape upon his feet — Dorothy Sayers
II. aga·pe äˈgäˌpā, ˈägəˌ-, ˈagəˌ-; ˈagəˌpē noun
( plural aga·pae -ˌpī; -ˌpē ; or aga·pai -ˌpī ; also agapes )
Usage: sometimes capitalized
Etymology: Late Latin, from Greek agapē, literally, love, back-formation from agapan to welcome, love; perhaps akin to agallein to adorn — more at agalma
1. : a love feast or common meal of fellowship originating among the early Christians and including prayers, songs, the reading of Scripture, and offerings for the poor
2. : spontaneous self-giving love expressed freely without calculation of cost or gain to the giver or merit on the part of the receiver:
a. : the love of God for man
b. : Christian brotherly love in its highest manifestation