gapping

English

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈɡæpɪŋ/

Verb

gapping

1. present participle and gerund of gap

Noun

gapping (countable and uncountable, plural gappings)

1. (linguistics) A type of ellipsis that occurs in the non-initial conjuncts of coordinate structures, and usually elides minimally a finite verb and further any non-finite verbs that are present. Example: "Some ate bread, and others rice."
2. (anatomy) The formation of a gap.
   • 1919, Studies from the Dept. of Anatomy, volume 7, page 505:

     The suture must be firm enough to prevent gapping when the elasticity of the elastic layer has been in play for some time.

   • 2012, Vicente Sanchis-Alfonso, Joan Carles Monllau, The ACL-Deficient Knee: A Problem Solving Approach, page 300:

     This test should then be repeated at 30° of knee flexion. The degree of injury can be graded based upon the amount of gapping felt as the joint opens under stress.