n.
Pronunciation: ' gap
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 position
2 a : a mountain pass b : RAVINE
3 : SPARK GAP
4 a : a separation in space b : an incomplete or deficient area <a gap in her knowledge>
5 : a break in continuity : HIATUS
6 : a break in the vascular cylinder of a plant where a vascular trace departs from the central cylinder
7 : 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 \ ' ga-p ē \ adjective