gapping

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."countableuncountable

2. (anatomy) The formation of a gap.Examples: "The suture must be firm enough to prevent gapping when the elasticity of the elastic layer has been in play for some time."; "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."countableuncountable