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yawning |
2 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: 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. From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: yawning adj 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" [syn: {drowsy}, {oscitant}, {yawning(a)}]
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