An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

An empty space or interval; interruption in continuity; a break or opening, as in a fence, wall. → Encke gap.

Etymology (EN): Gap, from O.N. gap “chasm,” related to gapa “to gape.”

Etymology (PE): Gâf, variant kâf “split, slit,” stem of kâftan, kâvidan “to split; to dig,” Mid./Mod.Pers. škâf- škâftan “to split, burst,” Proto-Iranian *kap-, *kaf- “to split;” cf. Gk. skaptein “to dig;” L. cabere “to scratch, scrape,” P.Gmc. skabanan (Goth. skaban;
Ger. schaben; E. shave). PIE base (s)kep- “to cut, to scrape, to hack.”