oscitation

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English

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Etymology

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Latin ōscitātiō, from ōscitō (to gape).

Pronunciation

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  • IPA(key): /ˌɒsɪˈteɪʃən/

Noun

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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.