GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 2 definitions

1.       
   Yawn , v. i. [imp. & p. p. Yawned ; p. pr. & vb. n. Yawning.] [OE. yanien, ȝanien, ganien, gonien, AS. gānian; akin to ginian to yawn, gīnan to yawn, open wide, G. gähnen to yawn, OHG. ginēn, geinōn, Icel. gīna to yawn, gin the mouth, OSlav. zijati to yawn, L. hiare to gape, yawn; and perhaps to E. begin, cf. Gr. χειά a hole. √47b. Cf. Begin, Gin to begin, Hiatus.]
   1913 Webster
   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
   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
   To open the mouth, or to gape, through surprise or bewilderment.
   Shak.
   
   1913 Webster
   To be eager; to desire to swallow anything; to express desire by yawning; as, to yawn for fat livings. “One long, yawning gaze.”
   Landor.
   
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2.       
   Yawn, n.
   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.
   1913 Webster
   One person yawning in company will produce a spontaneous yawn in all present.
   N. Chipman.
   
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   The act of opening wide, or of gaping.
   Addison.
   
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   A chasm, mouth, or passageway. [R.]
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   Now gape the graves, and trough their yawns let loose
   Imprisoned spirits.
   Marston.
   
   1913 Webster