oscitation

English

Etymology

Latin ōscitātiō, from ōscitō (“to gape”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˌɒsɪˈteɪʃən/

Noun

oscitation (plural oscitations)

1. (also figurative) The act of yawning or gaping.
   • 1547, A. Borde, edited by Bill Long, Breuiary of Helthe‎^[1], published 2006, archived from the original on 9 December 2012:

     Ossitacio is the latyn worde..In englysh it is named ossitacion yeanynge or gapynge.

   • 1709 September 13 (Gregorian calendar), Isaac Bickerstaff [et al., pseudonyms; Joseph Addison], “Friday, September 2, 1709”, in The Tatler, number 63; republished in [Richard Steele], editor, The Tatler, […], London stereotype edition, volume I, London: I. Walker and Co.;  […], 1822, →OCLC:

     But I shall defer considering this subject at large, until I come to my treatise of oscitation, laughter, and ridicule.

     The spelling has been modernized.

2. (obsolete) The condition of being listless, drowsy, negligent, or inattentive; an occurrence of such negligence or inattention.
   • 1744, “Letters of Mrs. Carter and Miss Talbot”, in The Eclectic Review‎^[2], volume 4, London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, and Orme, published 1808, page 980:

     These transient fits of oscitation, and inactivity, are perhaps no more than a necessary relaxation to the mind, and serve to quicken its faculties to a more lively sensation of returning pleasure.