gapeseed
obsolete
1. Something that is so strange, interesting, or unexpected that it causes one to stare with one's mouth open. A: "I think that seeing a horse in our kitchen certainly counts as gapeseed, don't you?" B: "Uh, indeed. Where is the stable boy?" The burning barn was gapeseed for several moments until I finally snapped to attention and began yelling for help. A: "Since when is there gapeseed out in those woods?" B: "Since a tree got hit by lightning! Look!"
2. Someone who gapes or gawks at something. Show some respect—don't be a gapeseed. A: "Must you be a gapeseed?" B: "I can't help it—Evelyn is just so beautiful." When I got there, Johnny was a complete gapeseed as the wolf circled him.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.