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yawn

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yawn

[yawn] ,
–verb (used without object)
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.
–verb (used with object)
4. to say with a yawn.
5. Archaic. to open wide, or lay open, as if by yawning.
–noun
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.

Origin:
bef. 900; ME yanen, yonen (v.), alter. of yenen, OE ge(o)nian; akin to OE gānian, ginan, ON gīna, G gähnen, L hiāre (see hiatus ), Gk chaínein to gape (see chasm )


1–3. gape.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To yawn
yawn   (yôn)   
v.   yawned, yawn·ing, yawns

v.   intr.
  1. To open the mouth wide with a deep inhalation, usually involuntarily from drowsiness, fatigue, or boredom.

  2. To open wide; gape: The chasm yawned at our feet.

v.   tr.
To utter wearily, while or as if while yawning: yawned his disapproval of the silly venture.
n.  
  1. The act of yawning.

  2. A fatigued or bored response.

  3. Informal One that provokes yawns; a bore: The movie was nothing more than one big yawn.


[Middle English yanen, alteration of yonen, yenen, from Old English geonian.]
yawn'er n.
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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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: 1yawn
Pronunciation: 'yon, 'yän
Function: intransitive verb
: to open the mouth wide and inhale deeply usually as an involuntaryreaction to fatigue or boredom

Main Entry: 2yawn
Function: noun
: a deep usually involuntary intake of breath through the wide open mouth often as an involuntary reaction to fatigue orboredom
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

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.
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