'Yawn' definitions:

Definition of 'yawn'

From: WordNet
noun
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" [syn: yawn, yawning, oscitance, oscitancy]
verb
Utter a yawn, as from lack of oxygen or when one is tired; "The child yawned during the long performance"
verb
Be wide open; "the deep gaping canyon" [syn: gape, yawn, yaw]

Definition of 'Yawn'

From: GCIDE
  • 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. [1913 Webster]
  • One person yawning in company will produce a spontaneous yawn in all present. --N. Chipman. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. The act of opening wide, or of gaping. --Addison. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. A chasm, mouth, or passageway. [R.] [1913 Webster]
  • Now gape the graves, and trough their yawns let loose Imprisoned spirits. --Marston. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Yawn'

From: GCIDE
  • 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[imac]nan to yawn, open wide, G. g[aum]hnen to yawn, OHG. gin[=e]n, gein[=o]n, Icel. g[imac]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.] [1913 Webster]
  • 1. To open the mouth involuntarily through drowsiness, dullness, or fatigue; to gape; to oscitate. "The lazy, yawning drone." --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • And while above he spends his breath, The yawning audience nod beneath. --Trumbull. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. To open wide; to gape, as if to allow the entrance or exit of anything. [1913 Webster]
  • 't is now the very witching time of night, When churchyards yawn. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. To open the mouth, or to gape, through surprise or bewilderment. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • 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. [1913 Webster]

Synonyms of 'yawn'

From: Moby Thesaurus

Words containing 'Yawn'