Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of 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[=i]nan to yawn, open wide, G. g["a]hnen to yawn, OHG. gin[=e]n, gein[=o]n, Icel. g[=i]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}.] 1. To open the mouth involuntarily through drowsiness, dullness, or fatigue; to gape; to oscitate. ``The lazy, yawning drone.'' --Shak. And while above he spends his breath, The yawning audience nod beneath. --Trumbull. 2. To open wide; to gape, as if to allow the entrance or exit of anything. 't is now the very witching time of night, When churchyards yawn. --Shak. 3. To open the mouth, or to gape, through surprise or bewilderment. --Shak. 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.
\Yawn\, n. 1. An involuntary act, excited by drowsiness, etc., consisting of a deep and long inspiration following several successive attempts at inspiration, the mouth, fauces, etc., being wide open. One person yawning in company will produce a spontaneous yawn in all present. --N. Chipman. 2. The act of opening wide, or of gaping. --Addison. 3. A chasm, mouth, or passageway. [R.] Now gape the graves, and trough their yawns let loose Imprisoned spirits. --Marston.