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The opening through the bulwarks of a vessel by which persons enter or leave it.

An opening in anything made by breaking or parting; as, a gap in a fence; an opening for a passage or entrance; an opening which implies a breach or defect; a vacant space or time; a hiatus; a mountain pass. Miseries ensued by the opening of that gap. Knolles. It would make a great gap in your own honor. Shak. Gap lath…

The act of opening the mouth convulsively to catch the breath; a labored respiration; a painful catching of the breath. At the last gasp, at the point of death. Addison.

The operation of cutting into the upper part of the vagina, through the abdomen (without opening the peritoneum), for the purpose of removing a fetus. It is a substitute for the Cæsarean operation, and less dangerous.

The operation of making a permanent opening into the stomach, for the introduction of food.

A cutting into, or opening of, the abdomen or the stomach.

lastula (the blastosphere) on one side, thus giving rise to a double-walled sac, with one opening or mouth (the blastopore) which leads into the cavity (the archenteron) lined by the inner wall (the hypoblast). See Illust. under Invagination. In a more general sense, an ideal stage in embryonic development. See Gastræa…

An opening for passage in any inclosing wall, fence, or barrier; or the suspended framework which closes or opens a passage. Also, figuratively, a means or way of entrance or of exit. Knowest thou the way to Dover Both stile and gate, horse way and footpath. Shak. Opening a gate for a long war. Knolles.…

of fish to pass, but catch in the gills when they seek to extricate themselves. -- Gill opening, or Gill slit (Anat.), an opening behind and below the head of most fishes, and some amphibians, by which the water from the gills is discharged. In most fishes there is a single opening on each side, but in the sharks and…

A main beam; a stright, horizontal beam to span an opening or carry weight, such as ends of floor beams, etc.; hence, a framed or built-up member discharging the same office, technically called a compound girder. See Illusts. of Frame, and Doubleframed floor, under Double. Bowstring girder, Box girder, etc. See under B…

rough a wood; a grassy open or cleared space in a forest. There interspersed in lawns and opening glades. Pope.

Causing joy, pleasure, or cheerfulness; having the appearance of gayety; pleasing. Of opening heaven they sung, and gladsome day. Prior. -- Glad"some*ly, adv. -- Glad"some*ness, n. Hours of perfect gladsomeness. Wordsworth.

glottis; glottic. Glottal catch, an effect produced upon the breath or voice by a sudden opening or closing of the glotts. Sweet.

The opening from the pharynx into the larynx or into the trachea. See Larynx.

Something that fills up an opening; a clog.

n valve (Steam Engine), a slide valve with several parallel perforations corresponding to openings in the seat on which the valve moves.

A natural covered opening in the earth; a cave; also, an artificial recess, cave, or cavernlike apartment.

over the surface of a metal to be etched, to prevent the acid from eating except where an opening is made by the needle.

or more bands or strings twisted over each other in a continued series, leaving circular openings which are filled with round ornaments.

iron rail or tram plate. [Eng.] Gully gut, a glutton. [Obs.] Chapman. -- Gully hole, the opening through which gutters discharge surface water.