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oscitance

 - 3 dictionary results

os⋅ci⋅tant

[os-i-tuhnt]
–adjective
1. yawning, as with drowsiness; gaping.
2. drowsy or inattentive.
3. dull, lazy, or negligent.

Origin:
1615–25; < L ōscitant- (s. of ōscitāns) (prp. of ōscitāre to gape, yawn), equiv. to ōs mouth + cit(āre) to put in motion) + -ant- -ant


os⋅ci⋅tan⋅cy, os⋅ci⋅tance, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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os·ci·tance   (ŏs'ĭ-təns)   
n.  Oscitancy.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

oscitant 
"yawning," from L. oscitans, prp. of oscitare "to gape, yawn," from os citare "to move the mouth" (see oral and cite).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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