yawning

Noun · Adjective
Synonyms: yawnoscitanceoscitancydrowsyoscitantyawning(a)

WordNet 3.0

Noun (1)

  1. an involuntary intake of breath through a wide open mouth; usually triggered by fatigue or boredom“he could not suppress a yawn”“the yawning in the audience told him it was time to stop”“he apologized for his oscitancy”Synonyms: yawnoscitanceoscitancy

Adjective (3)

  1. gaping open as if threatening to engulf someone or something“the yawning mine shaft”“a yawning abyss”
  2. with the mouth wide open indicating boredom or sleepiness“a yawning congregation”
  3. showing lack of attention or boredom“the yawning congregation”Synonyms: drowsyoscitantyawning(a)
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Yawn \Yawn\ (y[add]n), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Yawned; p. pr. & vb. n. Yawning.] [OE. yanien, [yogh]anien, ganien, gonien, AS. g[=a]nian; akin to ginian to yawn, g[imac]nan to yawn, open wide, G. g[aum]hnen to yawn, OHG. gin[=e]n, gein[=o]n, Icel. g[imac]na to yawn, gin the mouth, OSlav. zijati to yawn, L. hiare to gape, yawn; and perhaps to E. begin, cf. Gr. cheia` a hole. [root]47b. Cf. Begin, Gin to begin, Hiatus.] [1913 Webster]

1.To open the mouth involuntarily through drowsiness, dullness, or fatigue; to gape; to oscitate. "The lazy, yawning drone." --Shak. [1913 Webster]

And while above he spends his breath, The yawning audience nod beneath.— Trumbull.[1913 Webster]

2.To open wide; to gape, as if to allow the entrance or exit of anything. [1913 Webster]

't is now the very witching time of night, When churchyards yawn.— Shak.[1913 Webster]

3.To open the mouth, or to gape, through surprise or bewilderment. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

4.To be eager; to desire to swallow anything; to express desire by yawning; as, to yawn for fat livings. "One long, yawning gaze." --Landor. [1913 Webster]

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