Hiatus \Hi*a"tus\, n.; pl. L. {Hiatus}, E. {Hiatuses}. [L., fr.
hiare, hiatum, to gape; akin to E. yawn. See {Yawn}.]
1. An opening; an aperture; a gap; a chasm; esp., a defect in
a manuscript, where some part is lost or effaced; a space
where something is wanting; a break.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Gram.) The concurrence of two vowels in two successive
words or syllables. --Pope.
[1913 Webster]