7 dictionary results for: yawn
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
yawn
[yawn] Pronunciation Key,
[yawn] Pronunciation Key, –verb (used without object)
–verb (used with object)
–noun
| 1. | to open the mouth somewhat involuntarily with a prolonged, deep inhalation and sighing or heavy exhalation, as from drowsiness or boredom. |
| 2. | to open wide like a mouth. |
| 3. | to extend or stretch wide, as an open and deep space. |
| 4. | to say with a yawn. |
| 5. | Archaic. to open wide, or lay open, as if by yawning. |
| 6. | an act or instance of yawning. |
| 7. | an opening; open space; chasm. |
| 8. | Also, yawner. Informal. something so boring as to make one yawn: Critics say the new fashions are one big yawn. |
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
| yawn
(yôn) Pronunciation Key
v. yawned, yawn·ing, yawns v. intr.
v. tr. To utter wearily, while or as if while yawning: yawned his disapproval of the silly venture. n.
[Middle English yanen, alteration of yonen, yenen, from Old English geonian.] yawn'er n. |
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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
yawn (v.)
yawn (v.)
c.1300, yenen, yonen, from O.E. ginian, gionian "open the mouth wide, gape," from P.Gmc. *gin- (cf. O.N. gina "to yawn," Du. geeuwen, O.H.G. ginen, Ger. gähnen "to yawn"), from PIE *gh(e)i- (cf. O.C.S. zijajo "to gape," Lith. zioju, Czech zivati "to yawn," Gk. khainein, L. hiare "to yawn, gape," Skt. vijihite "to gape, be ajar"). Noun meaning "act of yawning" is recorded from 1697. Yawner "something boring" is Amer.Eng. slang first recorded 1942 (yawn in this sense is attested from 1889).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This
| yawn | |
noun | |
| 1. | an involuntary intake of breath through a wide open mouth; usually triggered by fatigue or boredom; "he could not suppress a yawn"; "the yawning in the audience told him it was time to stop"; "he apologized for his oscitancy" |
verb | |
| 1. | utter a yawn, as from lack of oxygen or when one is tired; "The child yawned during the long performance" |
| 2. | be wide open; "the deep gaping canyon" [syn: gape] |
WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
American Heritage Stedman's Medical Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
yawn (yôn)
v. yawned, yawn·ing, yawns
To open the mouth wide with a deep inhalation, usually involuntarily from drowsiness, fatigue, or boredom. n.
The act of yawning.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
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.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
Yawn
Yawn\, n. 1. 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. One person yawning in company will produce a spontaneous yawn in all present. --N. Chipman. 2. The act of opening wide, or of gaping. --Addison. 3. A chasm, mouth, or passageway. [R.] Now gape the graves, and trough their yawns let loose Imprisoned spirits. --Marston.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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