Emily Dickinson Lexicon

GAP, n. [See Gape and Gab. Gipsy, geb, Hindoo, gibah, a hole.]

1. An opening in any thing made by breaking or parting; as, a gap in a fence or wall.
2. A breach. Manifold miseries ensued by the opening of that gap to all that side of Christendom. Knolles.
3. Any avenue or passage; way of entrance or departure. Dryden.
4. A breach; a defect; a flaw; as, a gap in honor or reputation. Shak. More.
5. An interstice; a vacuity. A third can fill the gap with laughing. Swift.
6. A hiatus; a chasm; as, a gap between words. Pope. To stop a gap, to secure a weak point; to repair a defect. To stand in the gap, to expose one's self for the protection of something; to make defense against any assailing danger. Ezek. xxii.